The NCAAF Matchup between the San Jose State Spartans Vs Eastern Michigan Eagles happening today, Tuesday, 20th December 2022 is the 12th edition of the famed Idaho Potato Bowl.
Formerly known as the Humanitarian Bowl, the Potato Bowl is played on Blue Turf, Boise, Idaho.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles ended the season with a three-game winning streak, including a 4-1 against-the-spread-record in its last 5 contests.
On the other hand, the San Jose State Spartans struggled to finish the year, losing two out of its last three games, and failing to cover the spread in six consecutive contests.
These two teams will be meeting each other for the first time, since the 1987 California Bowl when the Eagles emerged as winners in spite of entering the game as the underdogs.
The Eagles have a lot of factors motivating them to win, as winning today’s game would give them their first nine-win season in the history of the NCAAF and their first Bowl win since 1987.
San Jose State Spartans winning this game is not known, due to the team’s poor performance at the end of the season.
The current weather forecast predicts that the temperature is in its low – 30s, and the environment would be unfamiliar to the Spartans who are based in California.
On that note, we at MatchPlug a trusted Prediction Site bring you the best Football Prediction surrounding the Spartans Vs Eagles game happening live this afternoon.
NCAAF: San Jose State Spartans VS Eastern Michigan Eagles | December 20, 2022
- Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho
- When: December 20, 2022
- Teams To Play: San Jose State Spartans Vs Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Time: 12:30 PM GMT
- Pick: Eastern Michigan +3.5
San Jose State Spartans VS Eastern Michigan Eagles Odds
These are the odds for this afternoon’s game between San Jose State Spartans and Eastern Michigan Eagles.
San Jose State Spartans Odds
- 1XBet Odds: 1.45
- Spread: -4
- Total: Under 53.5
- Moneyline: -178
Eastern Michigan Eagles Odds
- 1XBet Odds: 2.63
- Spread: +4
- Total: Over 53.5
- Moneyline: +150
View full predictions for San Jose State Spartans VS Eastern Michigan Eagles from BetMGM.
View full predictions for San Jose State Spartans VS Eastern Michigan Eagles from 1XBet.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan Eagles concluded the 2022 regular season with an impressive 3-game winning streak inspired partly by Taylor Powell their quarterback.
Powell had played 8 games this year, he gave his two best performances for the last weeks of the season. He has racked up 581 total yards and 6 touchdowns against Kent State and Central Michigan without any interceptions.
A new and improved Taylor gives the Eagles’ offense hope, which has gotten more success running the ball than passing it this season. The team has a record 52% Success Rate on Standard downs compared to only 31% in passing situations.
The Eagles’ passing situations will be vital for Eastern Michigan when going against San Jose’s front seven which has defended the run well all season. San Jose Spartans gave the Eagles a Success Rate of 35.1% when running the ball, this mark is due to a front seven that created a 14% Havoc Rate up front.
Still, Powell, his recent success will award the Eagles’ offensive attack another dimension, as they are already ranking 27th position in a Rushing Success Rate.
A two-dimensional offensive attack will favor an Eastern Michigan team that struggled on the defensive side. This season they ranked 78th in Defensive Success Rate, mostly due to their inability to stop the run. This team allows opponents to record a 42.7% Success Rate on the ground, which ranks 99th nationally.
In order to boost their offense, the Eagles must limit the Spartans’ ground success. But, the Spartans have challenges producing explosive rushing plays, due to a ranking of only .85.
If EMU can limit their second-level rushing yards, then San Jose will land in more third- and fourth-down situations than they would like. During the regular season, San Jose struggled during late-down situations with a 42.28% Success Rate which is 74h nationally.
An Eastern Michigan defense ranked as top 30 (64.74%) in first down percentage on first and second down will make the Spartans’ offense uncomfortable.
San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans entered the Potato Bowl hoping to win their 8th postseason victory and first bowl since 2015. They have experienced success in bowl matches, with a 7-4 overall record.
On paper, this is good for the Spartans’ passing attack which ranks 30th nationally at a Success Rate of 42.5%.
San Jose’s passing attack headed by Chevan Cordeiro (junior quarterback) will want to take advantage of Eastern Michigan’s secondary which allowed a 1.6 passing explosiveness ranking this year.
While the Eagles often give up the game through the air, they are also quite adept at wreaking havoc on their opponent’s offenses through their secondary. They have a 9% Havoc Rate this season, which can work against Cordeiro who is tied for 11th position nationally, with mere four interceptions this season.
Generally, Eastern Michigan has more success defensively this year against the pass, than it does against the run. They rank 63rd nationally in EPA/Pass compared to 105th in EPA/Rush.
Their comfort level against the pass will be tough against San Jose which is top 30 nationally in Passing Success Rate (42.5%).
San Jose State may succeed offensively, but Eastern Michigan will make enough secondary plays to outpace them.
San Jose State Spartans VS Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Pick
This game will boil down to motivation, amongst a few other factors.
Eastern Michigan will be the most motivated among the two teams to go home with a victory, and they have also been the most efficient squad to end the year.
Powell will work magic for a struggling offense that can’t keep up with its weak defense. This plus the weather that Michigan players are used to will put them in a favorable position.
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