MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho and Oregon renew an old conference rivalry that dates back to 0-0 tie in 1901 in Moscow. The series was played nearly annually, even after the Pacific Coast Conference dissolved in 1959. The Ducks dominated the series. The game was played every season from 1945 to 1970 with the exception of 1962. The most competitive stretch was the 1920s that saw three ties, three Oregon wins and two Idaho victories. Idaho has been Oregon's season opening opponent six times. One of Idaho's three victories came 100 years ago this season, a 13-0 shutout in Moscow. 

ABOUT IDAHO: In two seasons under head coach Jason Eck, the Vandals have reestablished themselves as a Big Sky Conference and FCS Power. A position they enjoyed in the late 80s and early 90s before moving to the FBS for over 20 years. The Vandals made back-to-back FCS playoff appearances and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2023. Idaho returns the bulk of its defense from last year, but lost a large percentage of the offensive firepower. Redshirt sophomore and former Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year Jack Layne takes over as the starting quarterback after making two starts in relief in his first two seasons. Sack leaders Dallas Afalava and Keyshawn James-Newby anchor a veteran defensive line. 

ABOUT OREGON: The Ducks enter the season with the highest expectations and the highest preseason rankings since 2014 (3). Entering his third season, head coach Dan Lanning has pushed Oregon the top of the rankings and they are doing it on both sides of the ball. Leading the nation in scoring differential at 27.71 points per game. Oregon enters their first year in the Big Ten and expects to compete for a title and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
1. ECK'S VANDALS AGAINST POWER 5 TEAMS: In three games against Power-five teams in Jason Eck's first two seasons at the helm, the Vandals have held their own. Idaho has not trailed at the half in any of the three games, the Vandals were tied 10-10 at Washington State in 2022, led 10-0 over Indiana in 2022 and were on top 17-14 (after taking a 17-0 lead in the second quarter) against Cal in 2023. All three opponents came back to win the game. Idaho's other FBS game was a 33-6 win over Nevada in 2023. 

2. ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Idaho opens with four of its first five games on the road to start the season. The Vandals head to back-to-back FBS opponents in Oregon and Wyoming, before the season home opener against UAlbany on Sept. 14 at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. The Vandals close the non-conference with a game at Abilene Christian before traveling to UC Davis for the Big Sky opener. The Vandals opened the 2023 season with five of the first six games on the road and went 5-1 in that stretch, the only loss coming against Cal. 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. RETURNING HOME:  The 2021 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year will be tossing the pigskin around Autzen Stadium on Saturday, but he won't be wearing green. Idaho starting quarterback Jack Layne of Lake Oswego, is one of nine Vandals from Oregon on the current roster. The group includes Jack's twin brother Dylan and his backup QB Jack Wagner from Tualatin. Receiver Mark Hamper from West Linn is expected to be a key target for Layne. Oregon will continue to be a key recruiting area for the Vandals. 

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho needs to replace 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 the 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. SPECIAL TEAMS: Idaho ranked among the best teams in the FCS in both kick return yards and punt return yards thanks to Jermaine Jackson who rode his return skills to an NFL camp. What do you do to replace that? How about grab a transfer who has five 100-yard return touchdowns in his career. Abraham Williams delivers an immediate threat to any team who gives him an opportunity to make a return. He is just one kick return away from tying the NCAA FCS All-Time kick return career record of six. Kicker and punter Ricardo Chavez graduated and left a void. LJ Harm will look to take over punting duties, with Cameron Pope and a pair of freshmen, Owen Adams and Owen Forsman competing for kicking duties.