FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference released its preseason coaches and media polls on Monday morning, as the 13-team league inches ever closer to kickoff for the 2026 season. Entering head coach Thomas Ford Jr's second season at the helm, the Idaho Vandals were pegged to finish sixth in the media poll and seventh by the conference's coaches. 

This past offseason, Ford showcased his recruiting ability by securing the strongest high school class in school history and one of the best in the nation, according to 247 Sports. UI returns eight total starters, including star quarterback Joshua Wood, who made waves in the Big Sky a season ago, posting the best rushing campaign by a Vandal signal caller since Doug Nussmeier in 1993. In addition to a class of 21 transfers, new coordinators Ian Shoemaker and Lee Stalker join the staff for Ford's second season, bringing new energy to the P1FCU Kibbie Dome ahead of 2026.

Idaho's season begins on August 28 with a Friday night conference showdown at Cal Poly (7 p.m., ESPN), one of three games the Black and Gold had selected for linear distribution on ESPN networks, a program record. The Vandals open their six-game home slate against Lamar on Sep. 12. 

The polls are as follows:
 
Big Sky Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Montana State (11) – 143
2. Montana – 130
3. UC Davis (2) – 121
4. Northern Arizona – 108 
5. Idaho State - 99 
6. Southern Utah – 82 
7. Idaho – 77 
8. Eastern Washington – 70 
9. Weber State – 48
10. Northern Colorado – 47 
11. Cal Poly – 46 
12. Portland State – 24 
13. Utah Tech – 19
*Parentheses denotes first-place vote // Coaches could not vote for their own team


Big Sky Football Preseason Media Poll
1. Montana State (35) – 490
2. Montana (1) – 448
3. UC Davis (2) – 421
4. Idaho State – 349
5. Northern Arizona – 339
6. Idaho – 283
7. Southern Utah – 273
8. Eastern Washington – 246
9. Cal Poly – 168
10. Weber State – 155
11. Northern Colorado – 153
12. Portland State – 68
13 Utah Tech – 65
*Parentheses denotes first-place vote

Ford, Wood, and senior linebacker Cruz Hepburn head to Spokane, Wash. this weekend to take part in the 2026 Big Sky Kickoff.

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