MOSCOW, Idaho - The preseason hype for this game has proved to be well-founded and ESPN2 comes to Bozeman for a match up with two top-10 teams. Both teams have wins against Mountain West opponents, but the Vandals are more battle tested with the second-ranked strength of schedule according to Massey Computer Rankings while MSU's strength of schedule is ranked 76th. The Vandals have a top-ranked defense while MSU brings in a top-ranked offense.
ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals' six opponents have either been ranked FCS teams or FBS opponents with four of the six on the road, leaving Idaho 4-2 after the tough stretch.
Keyshawn James-Newby leads the FCS with 7.5 sacks through six games. The Vandals are ranked sixth as a team in the FCS in sacks, despite playing two FBS teams with a strong tradition of offensive line play. Quarterback
Jack Wagner has been solid, picking up wins in his first three starts.
Nate Thomas lead the Vandals with five rushing touchdowns on the season while
Jordan Dwyer has four receiving TDS.
ABOUT MONTANA STATE: Montana State is the third ranked team in the FCS for a reason and it starts up front with an outstanding offensive line. Behind the line, the Bobcats have racked up over 1,800 yards on the ground, led by Scottre Humphrey has 668 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The pass game is solid as well with 1185 yards behind the arm of Tommy Mellott. McCade O'Reilly has a team-high 39 tackles while Brody Grebe has five sacks. Head coach Brent Vigen is 38-9 in his fourth season at Montana State.
PICK SIX
1. ECK'S VANDALS TOPPLE THE MOUNTAIN WEST, AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs under
Jason Eck after topping Wyoming 17-13 last Saturday in Laramie. The Vandals have given up just 19 total points in two games against Mountain West opponents in the last two seasons and gave up just one touchdown between the two games. The win helps put Idaho in excellent position as it moves into the FCS portion of the schedule. Montana State and Idaho both picked up wins against Mountain West teams this season.
2. ROAD WARRIORS: Idaho is playing its fifth game on the road in just seven games to start the season. The Vandals played back-to-back FBS opponents in Oregon and Wyoming before hosting a ranked UAlbany team at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome before traveling to Abilene Christian and UC Davis. The Vandals are 4-2 through the first six game. In the first two seasons under coach Eck, Idaho won as many road games (eight) as the previous six seasons.
3. YOUTH ON OFFENSE: There are 54 offensive players listed on the Idaho roster. One, transfer tight end
Mike Martinez, is listed as a senior. Out of the 54, 46 are listed as freshmen or sophomores. The youth movement on the Idaho offense is real, but the talent is there to match after the Vandals put together Top-10 FCS recruiting classes each of the last two years.
4. STARTING FRESHmen: Season opening starting quarterback
Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho's season opener at Oregon. He is expected to be out for an extended period of time, opening the door for redshirt freshman
Jack Wagner to step into the starting roll. Wagner started the Wyoming game by completing his first eight passes before end the game at 12-21 for 101 yards and a touchdown. He didn't throw an interception and was sacked just once in the 17-13. He had another solid performance against UAlbany, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Idaho is 6-1 under Eck when the season opening back up QBs starts the game. Over the last two games, redshirt freshman QB
Nick Josifek has seen action. The two freshmen are listed as "or" starters on this week's depth chart.
5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho has replaced starters at nearly every skilled position on offense, both corner positions and two of three linebackers, but the line is a different story. Seven of the 10 offensive linemen on the final depth chart of last season return, including four starters. On the defense, six of the eight return, including all four starters from last season. Last year, nine of the 10 players on the O-line depth chart were freshmen or sophomores and while there is still not a single senior on the O-line, the group has the game experience of a much older squad.
6. DOMINANT D-LINE: The Idaho defensive line has shown that it can play with anyone. It faced two strong FBS units and came away with a Big Sky Conference leading seven sacks.
Keyshawn James-Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 total sacks through six games, surpassing his total of five from all of last year. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team has ever held Oregon under 35 points.
Dallas Afalava has 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Idaho didn't allow a touchdown from the first quarter of the Wyoming game until the final minutes of the UAlbany game. The Vandals also held UC Davis to just 26 rushing yards.
