MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho Vandal Football is ranked fifth in the 2023 Hero Sports FCS Preseason Poll, released by the news organization Thursday.
The poll is produced by the three Hero Sports staffers Sam Herder, Daniel Steenkamer and Zach McKinnell. The three staffers' rankings were combined and ordered by total points to achieve the outcome.
Defending national champion South Dakota State was the unanimous No. 1 in the poll, followed by North Dakota State at No. 2. Montana State is the highest Big Sky team at No. 3, Holy Cross was picked fourth before Idaho and Furman who tied for the fifth spot in the poll.
In head coach
Jason Eck's first season, Idaho went 7-5 and returned to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1995.
The Vandals return Jerry Rice Award winning quarterback
Gevani McCoy and consensus All-American wide receiver
Hayden Hatten. Five total players received All-American honors for Idaho in 2022.
Idaho was picked seventh in the Athlon preseason poll which was released in May.
The Vandals host four home games this season, including a homecoming matchup against Montana, who was ranked 16th in the poll, that will be broadcast on ESPN2. Season tickets are on sale now at govandals.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at 208-885-6466.
