MOSCOW, Idaho - It is a rematch of the 2023 FCS Quarterfinals match up with 17th-ranked UAlbany coming to town to face the No. 4 Idaho Vandals. In that game, the Great Danes came from behind to beat the Vandals 30-22 in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. A season later and the two teams are both markedly different after departures both to the NFL and in the transfer portal. Both teams are 1-1 on the season. Idaho is coming off of a 17-13 win over Wyoming while UAlbany opened the season with a 27-21 win over Long Island University. The game has been selected as the FCS Game of the Week by Opta Analyst. 

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals have been the talk of the FCS after going into War Memorial Stadium at 7220 feet and topping Wyoming 17-13 on the back of an outstanding defensive attack. Keyshawn James-Newby leads the FCS with five sacks through two games. The Vandals are ranked fifth as a team in the FCS in sacks, despite playing two FBS teams with a strong tradition of offensive line play. Quarterback Jack Wagner is probable to start after an injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday's win over Wyoming. He started the game by completing his first eight passes. Jake Cox leads the Vandals with two touchdowns on the season. 

ABOUT UALBANY: Coach Greg Gattuso brings another well-coached squad into the Kibbie Dome. UAlbany topped LIU 27-21 after a back and forth battle before falling 49-14 to West Virginia in a game they trailed just 21-14 late in the first half. The Great Danes bring another talented offense led by receiver Seven McGee. Dontae Lunan is one of the most prolific tacklers in the entire country, with 24 total tackles through two games. 
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. 

2. FINALLY AT HOME: Idaho opens with four of its first five games on the road to start the season. The Vandals played back-to-back FBS opponents in Oregon and Wyoming and now finally get to play in the friendly confines of 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. STARTING FRESHman:  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 went out with an injury in the fourth quarter, but is probable to return Saturday. If he can't go, redshirt freshman Nick Josifek will start in his place. 

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. 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 leads the FCS with five total sacks through two games, equalling his total 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. It held both teams scoreless in the third quarter and held Wyoming to just one touchdown on the day. Dallas Afalava has two tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.