One of the more distinct games of the 2022-23 bowl season will play out in Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday in the form of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
The 2022 edition of this game will feature San Jose State out of the Mountain West vs. Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. Whoever emerges as victor from that game — like a triumphant sprouting potato plant — will become part of a notable history in this game.
Though the game likely won't be compared to more prestigious bowls such as the Rose or Sugar, it nonetheless has a fascinating background with a noted history of producing entertaining games. And what more could you ask for in a bowl game?
MORE: Watch college football bowl games live with fuboTV (free trial)
With that, The Sporting News breaks down the history of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, including the origin of its name, location, trophy and game-by-game record:
Why is it called the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl isn't the original name of this game: It was originally called the Humanitarian Bowl from its inception in 1997 through 2003, and again from 2007 through 2010. The name stemmed from the title sponsor, the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise, Idaho.
In between its two stints under that name, it was called the MPC Computers Bowl from 2004 through 2006. It wasn't until 2011 that the The Idaho Potato Commission emerged as the bowl game's long-term sponsor.
The decision to give the bowl its third different name has given it one of the most distinguishable monikers of the bowl season. Per the bowl's website:
"The Idaho Potato Commission emerged with a commitment as a long-term sponsor, giving the bowl its new identity, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Hear the name, and you know exactly what it is and where it is."
Where is the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl played?
Another distinct feature of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is the fact it's played at Boise State's Albertsons Stadium, which has featured an iconic blue turf surface since 1986.
The game has been played there every year since the bowl's inception in 1997. Though the venue has remained the same since the game's inception, the name of the stadium has changed: It was previously Broncos Stadium from 1970 through 2014, when it was renamed Albertsons Stadium.
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophy
The trophy of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is, appropriately, a giant glass of Idaho russet potatoes. The bowl, which has the bowl logo stamped on the glass, is affixed on top of a trophy stand that reads "CHAMPION" with the bowl logo placed underneath.
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone has a wonderful day filled with lots of love, family and @IdahoPotato 🥔🦃 pic.twitter.com/pS0P53AqP4
— FamousID Potato Bowl (@IDPotatoBowl) November 24, 2022
Also of note: The coach of the winning team has a distinct twist on the postgame Gatorade bath. Instead of getting doused in Gatorade, they instead get a "french fry shower," which sounds considerably better than the alternative.
FRENCH FRY BATH 🍟 @IDPotatoBowl | @wyo_football pic.twitter.com/uL7oBGFQqK
— ESPN (@espn) December 22, 2021
MORE: College football bowl schedule: Complete list of selections for all 41 bowl games in 2022-23
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl history
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has been played every year since its inaugural game in 1997, including the COVID-19-affected season in 2020. It has had various bowl tie-ins over the years, but currently features the Mountain West vs. the MAC.
Boise State is tied with Nevada and Utah State for most appearances in the game, though it should be noted that the Broncos do not have a team-specific tie-in to the bowl. That said, the Broncos do enjoy the highest win percentage of any teams to play in this game, going 3-1 (.750). Both the Wolf Pack and Aggies are 1-3 in their four appearances.
Below is the full breakdown of the bowl game's history, complete with conference tie-ins and game-by-game results:
| Date | Conference tie-ins | Opponents | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 29, 1997 | Big West vs. C-USA | Cincinnati vs. Utah State | Cincinnati 35, Utah State 19 |
| Dec. 30, 1998 | Big West vs. C-USA | Idaho vs. Southern Miss | Idaho 42, Southern Miss 35 |
| Dec. 30, 1999 | Big West vs. C-USA | Boise State vs. Louisville | Boise State 34, Louisville 31 |
| Dec. 28, 2000 | Big West vs. WAC | Boise State vs. UTEP | Boise State 38, UTEP 23 |
| Dec. 31, 2001 | WAC vs. ACC | Clemson vs. La Tech | Clemson 49, La Tech 24 |
| Dec. 31, 2002 | WAC vs. Big 12 | Boise State vs. Iowa State | Boise State 34, Iowa State 15 |
| Jan. 3, 2004 | WAC vs. ACC | Georgia Tech vs. Tulsa | Georgia Tech 52, Tulsa 10 |
| Dec. 27, 2004 | WAC vs. ACC | Fresno State vs. Virginia | Fresno State 37, Virginia 34 (OT) |
| Dec. 28, 2005 | WAC vs. ACC | Boston College vs. Boise State | Boston College 27, Boise State 21 |
| Dec. 31, 2006 | WAC vs. ACC | Miami vs. Nevada | Miami 21, Nevada 20 |
| Dec. 31, 2007 | WAC vs. ACC | Fresno State vs. Georgia Tech | Fresno State 40, Georgia Tech 28 |
| Dec. 30, 2008 | WAC vs. ACC | Maryland vs. Nevada | Maryland 42, Nevada 35 |
| Dec. 30, 2009 | WAC vs. MAC | Idaho vs. Bowling Green | Idaho 43, Bowling Green 42 |
| Dec. 18, 2010 | WAC vs. MAC | Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State | Northern Illinois 40, Fresno State 17 |
| Dec. 17, 2011 | WAC vs. MAC | Ohio vs. Utah State | Ohio 24, Utah State 23 |
| Dec. 15, 2012 | WAC vs. MAC | Utah State vs. Toledo | Utah State 41,& Toledo 15 |
| Dec. 21, 2013 | MWC vs. MAC | San Diego State vs. Buffalo | San Diego State 49, Buffalo 24 |
| Dec. 20, 2014 | MWC vs. MAC | Air Force vs. Western Michigan | Air Force 38, Western Michigan 24 |
| Dec. 22, 2015 | MWC vs. MAC | Akron vs. Utah State | Akron 23, Utah State 21 |
| Dec. 22, 2016 | MWC vs. Sun Belt | Idaho vs. Colorado State | Idaho 61, Colorado State 50 |
| Dec. 22, 2016 | MWC vs. MAC | Wyoming vs. Central Michigan | Wyoming 37, Central Michigan 14 |
| Dec. 21, 2018 | Independent vs. MAC | BYU vs. Western Michigan | BYU 49, Western Michigan 18 |
| Jan. 3, 2020 | MWC vs. MAC | Ohio vs. Nevada | Ohio 30, Nevada 21 |
| Dec. 22, 2020 | MWC vs. AAC | Nevada vs. Tulane | Nevada 38, Tulane 27 |
| Dec. 21, 2021 | MWC vs. MAC | Wyoming vs. Kent State | Wyoming 52, Kent State 38 |
| Dec. 20, 2022 | MWC vs. MAC | Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State | TBD |
