Why is it called the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? History of college football’s Boise State bowl game

One of many extra distinct video games of the 2022-23 bowl season will play out in Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday within the type of the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl.

The 2022 version of this sport will function San Jose State out of the Mountain West vs. Japanese Michigan of the Mid-American Convention. Whoever emerges as victor from that sport — like a triumphant sprouting potato plant — will change into a part of a notable historical past on this sport.

Although the sport possible will not be in comparison with extra prestigious bowls such because the Rose or Sugar, it nonetheless has a captivating background with a famous historical past of manufacturing entertaining video games. And what extra might you ask for in a bowl sport?

With that, The Sporting Information breaks down the historical past of the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl, together with the origin of its title, location, trophy and game-by-game document:

MORE: Faculty soccer bowl picks, predictions for all 41 postseason video games in 2022-23

Why is it referred to as the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl?

The Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl is not the unique title of this sport: It was initially referred to as the Humanitarian Bowl from its inception in 1997 by 2003, and once more from 2007 by 2010. The title stemmed from the title sponsor, the World Sports activities Humanitarian Corridor of Fame in Boise, Idaho.

In between its two stints below that title, it was referred to as the MPC Computer systems Bowl from 2004 by 2006. It wasn’t till 2011 that the The Idaho Potato Fee emerged because the bowl sport’s long-term sponsor.

The choice to offer the bowl its third completely different title has given it one of the crucial distinguishable monikers of the bowl season. Per the bowl’s web site:

“The Idaho Potato Fee emerged with a dedication as a long-term sponsor, giving the bowl its new id, the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl. Hear the title, and you understand precisely what it’s and the place it’s.”

The place is the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl performed?

One other distinct function of the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl is the actual fact it is performed at Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium, which has featured an iconic blue turf floor since 1986.

The sport has been performed there yearly for the reason that bowl’s inception in 1997. Although the venue has remained the identical for the reason that sport’s inception, the title of the stadium has modified: It was beforehand Broncos Stadium from 1970 by 2014, when it was renamed Albertsons Stadium.

Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl trophy

The trophy of the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl is, appropriately, a large glass of Idaho russet potatoes. The bowl, which has the bowl emblem stamped on the glass, is affixed on high of a trophy stand that reads “CHAMPION” with the bowl emblem positioned beneath.

Additionally of observe: The coach of the profitable group has a definite twist on the postgame Gatorade bathtub. As an alternative of getting doused in Gatorade, they as an alternative get a “french fry bathe,” which sounds significantly higher than the choice.

MORE: Faculty soccer bowl schedule: Full listing of picks for all 41 bowl video games in 2022-23

Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl historical past

The Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl has been performed yearly since its inaugural sport in 1997, together with the COVID-19-affected season in 2020. It has had varied bowl tie-ins over time, however at present options the Mountain West vs. the MAC.

Boise State is tied with Nevada and Utah State for many appearances within the sport, although it must be famous that the Broncos don’t have a team-specific tie-in to the bowl. That mentioned, the Broncos do benefit from the highest win proportion of any groups to play on this sport, going 3-1 (.750). Each the Wolf Pack and Aggies are 1-3 of their 4 appearances.

Beneath is the total breakdown of the bowl sport’s historical past, full with convention tie-ins and game-by-game outcomes: