Bowl season rolls on Tuesday afternoon with the Wyoming Cowboys (6-6 SU, 4-7-1 ATS) taking on Kent State (7-6 SU, 6-7 ATS) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). It will be the first meeting between the programs. The Cowboys as between 3- and 3.5-point favorites around the betting market, around -155 to -170 on the moneyline, and the total is between 59 and 59.5.
However, there is more to betting on the Potato Bowl than the point spread, moneyline, and total. BetMGM is offering odds on who scores the first touchdown of the game and who scores one at any time. Here’s a look at touchdown scorer player props:
First Touchdown Scorer Props: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Kent State’s lackluster defense makes it more likely Wyoming scores first, but the Golden Flashes offense is explosive. If they get the ball first, they could exploit the Cowboys’ 92nd ranked run defense for an early score. So, it could very well come down to the coin flip and who gets first possession.
Xazavian Valladay +750
Valladay is the leading rusher for the Cowboys this season with 984 yards on 190 carries, but he only has five touchdowns to his name. His last one came against Colorado State on November 6. But it would not be shocking to see the senior get the first shot at the goal line. Against Kent State’s 106th ranked rush defense, that could come on Wyoming’s first drive of the game.
Titus Swen +550
If Valladay does not get the nod, it will probably be Titus Swen. The sophomore running back made quite an impression down the stretch with four touchdowns in the last three games of the season and seven for the year.
Isaiah Neyor +400
With 12 touchdowns this season (11 receiving, one rushing), Neyor is the leading scorer for the Cowboys, but Wyoming is a run-first team. That would make it seem he is less likely to score the first touchdown, but Kent State has the 123rd ranked pass defense in the country. Should Wyoming try to exploit that weakness, Neyor could score the game’s first touchdown.
Dante Cephas +1000
Kent State has scored twice as many touchdowns this season running the ball (35) than throwing it (17). If they do throw the ball, though, there is a good chance Dante Cephas will be the intended target. The sophomore receiver has eight of Kent State’s receiving touchdowns; however, he did go scoreless in seven of Kent State’s 13 games this season.
Marquez Cooper +750; Dustin Crum +800
Wyoming’s run defense gives up almost 200 yards a game, so it is more likely Kent State scores on the ground. Marquez Cooper and Dustin Crum have 11 touchdowns each, making it possible either of them gets the call when Kent State gets within scoring range.
Anytime Touchdown Scorer Props: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
It would not be shocking to see a lot of points scored in this game. Kent State has averaged 32.6 a game this season. Wyoming has averaged only 23, but since the Golden Flashes allow 35 points a game, there is a good chance they top their season average in this game.
As for who will score these points, bettors can probably expect the primary scorers for each team to get involved. Each player mentioned above has solid odds to score anytime during the game.
However, if you are okay with a bit of risk and interested in a higher payout, give these guys some consideration:
Nykeim Johnson +190
The senior wide receiver for Kent State has five total touchdowns — three receiving and two rushing. His last one came on his only reception in the MAC title game.
Xavier Williams +210
It is not unusual for coaches to show their seniors some love and give them a final chance to score. Williams, a senior running back for the Golden Flashes, had two TDs in the regular-season finale against Miami (OH) to go with 168 yards (13 carries).
Keshun Abram +220
Like Williams and Johnson, Abram is one of Kent State’s senior playmakers on offense. Abram has only three touchdowns on the season, his last in the regular-season finale against Miami (OH). While Cephas is the focal point of the team’s passing game, Abram and Johnson are solid secondary targets.
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