BYU football: Five reasons to be excited for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
By Ron Jensen
No. 2 – Close to home
Yes, news of playing in Idaho was similar to finding out that your spring break trip to Tampa was replaced with a vacation to the illustrious beaches of Siberia. Yet, there are major positives to playing in the Gem State.
Boise is just a short five-hour drive north from Provo, which makes this bowl destination a practical and affordable one for many that wouldn’t consider taking a flight to the game. Utah-based fans, and students in particular, will be able to easily attend.
Eastern Idaho is a large hub for Cougar fans that are more than willing to make the drive to the west side of the state. As is the case of others, many of these fans have waited for the opportunity to see a BYU bowl game for a long time.
Finally, Boise is home to a large portion of Cougar Nation as well. They’ll be in the stadium on Friday afternoon. Don’t be surprised when hundreds of football-starved Boise State fans fill the stands for the game. And unlike their neighbors from the south, Bronco Nation will be cheering on the Cougars in hopes that their rival will gain more prestige as a program for next season’s contest in Provo.
No. 3 – Momentum for next year
The benefit of bowl preparation and experience cannot be overvalued, especially if coaches properly utilize this time. The extra practices and game gives the team extra opportunity to propel the program in the right direction before winter practices and spring ball get underway.
The 2010 New Mexico Bowl victory helps prove the point. The win over UTEP vaulted the 2010 team that finished 7-6 into a 2011 campaign that saw the Cougars finish 10-3 and ranked No. 25 in the final Coaches’ poll.
Another example is the 2005 Vegas Bowl. Although a loss to Cal, the 6-6 Cougars showed glimpses of what was to come in 2006 when they finished 11-2 and were ranked No. 15 in the nation.
Even the final game of the 2000 season, where the Cougars beat the Utes in Lavell Edwards’ last game as head coach is evidence of this premise. Though it wasn’t a bowl game, it certainly was treated like one. The ending certainly carried over into the 2001 season that saw the team sprint to a 12-0 start and a No. 8 ranking in the AP poll.
There’s no denying it, those final games played a huge roll in the success of the following season. The momentum gained from each was invaluable. It’s clear that next year starts now, and if things are done correctly by the coaching staff, it will show up on the field in the fall.