FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference released its preseason coaches and media poll on Thursday morning. The Idaho Vandals football team was tabbed fourth in the media poll with one first-place vote, and fifth in the coaches poll. 

Idaho, coming off of back-to-back FCS playoff quarterfinal appearances, returns five starters on offense, two starters on defense, and 56 letterwinners from last season's team. Head Coach Thomas Ford and company also made big splashes in the transfer portal this past spring by bringing in quarterback Joshua Wood (Fresno State), offensive linemen Kaden Haeckel (Arizona State), Garrison Hickle (Indiana), and Nathan Pritchard (Washington State), as well as tight end Gabe Hoffmann (Eastern Michigan) who all have FBS experience. 

The Vandals have a recent history of outperforming or living up to their selection in the preseason polls. In 2022, Idaho was picked 8/9 in the preseason polls (finished fourth), in 2023 the Vandals were picked 2/5 in the polls (finished second), and last season UI was selected third in the polls and also finished in third place. 

The polls are as follows:
 
Coaches Poll
1. Montana State (7) - 117
2. UC Davis (1) - 100
3. Montana (2) - 96
4. Northern Arizona (1) - 94
5. IDAHO - 81
6. Sacramento State (1) - 73 
7. Idaho State - 56
8. Weber State - 55
9. Eastern Washington - 48 
10. Portland State - 32
11. Cal Poly - 25 
12. Northern Colorado - 15
 
Parentheses denotes first-place vote // Coaches could not vote for their own team
 
Media Poll
1. Montana State (30) - 488
2. Montana (6) - 434
3. UC Davis (4) - 399
4. IDAHO (1) - 364
5. Northern Arizona - 354
6. Sacramento State (1) - 282
7. Idaho State - 247
8. Eastern Washington - 225
9. Weber State - 192
10. Portland State - 140
11. Cal Poly - 94
12. Northern Colorado - 57
 
Parentheses denotes first-place vote

Ford, offensive lineman Nate Azzopardi, and defensive lineman Sam Brown head to Spokane, Wash. this weekend where they will take part in Big Sky Kickoff.

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TICKETS: Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Idaho ticket office at (208)885-6466.