Let's take a look at Idaho under first year coach Thomas Ford:
August 30 @ Washington State - L. Battle of the Palouse. Really interested to see Jimmy Rogers squad. I think he's actually recruited pretty well but the Cougs have a ton of new faces that there will be some growing pains. That said, I don't see them losing to Idaho.
September 6 vs. St. Thomas - W. The Tommies are a program that are on the rise. I think they're one of the favorites to win the Pioneer League this year, and I believe they will be a future candidate to join the MVFC. However, Idaho's not gonna lose to a non-scholarship at home.
September 13 vs. Utah Tech - W. The first time since Idaho has re-joined the Big Sky that they will play 6 home games. This should be an easy one too.
September 20 @ San Jose State - L. This could be a close game, but I'm gonna say Idaho loses this one. I think Ken Niumatololo did a very nice job with the Spartans in his first season. He's a good coach that did a great job with Navy and now appears to have SJSU headed in the right direction.
September 27 @ Montana - L. This two game road trip is huge for Idaho. If they get swept by SJSU and the Griz, every game from here on out is a must win. They have to come away with at least one win in these two games. I think their odds are more likely against SJSU though. I think the Griz win by 10+.
October 4 BYE
October 11 vs. Northern Colorado - W. Should be a good bounce back game for them out of the bye.
October 18 @ Eastern Washington - W. These are always exciting games when these two face off but I don't see the Vandy's having any trouble in this one.
October 25 vs. Portland State - W. Nice little three game win streak before things get tough again.
October 31 @ Northern Arizona - L. Friday night Football on ESPN2. This might be the biggest home game NAU has had in a long time. This is a 50-50 game in my mind. I could see it going either way, but I do think NAU has a slightly better team and they're at home. Therefore I give the Jacks the edge.
November 8 vs. UC Davis - W. With their backs against the wall, I think Idaho rises to the occasion and wins a must win game. This will be tough, but they have to have it.
November 15 @ Sacramento State - L. Here's where Idaho's season comes to an end. While Sac State is a bit of a wildcard in my mind, I believe they will be a better team than Idaho and the Vandy's pick up their 5th loss here.
November 22 vs. Idaho State - W. If Idaho loses all the above mentioned games then they won't be playing for much in this one. I do think they'll win this one though.
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I got Idaho going 7-5 and just on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Boy is that a tough schedule. They have a lot riding on that San Jose State and NAU games. They got all the top Big Sky teams except for the cats, and two tough FBS games. 5 of those 6 road games are gonna be really tough. I think their ceiling is 8-4 and the floor is 6-6. That's my prediction. Thoughts?
August 30 @ Washington State - L. Battle of the Palouse. Really interested to see Jimmy Rogers squad. I think he's actually recruited pretty well but the Cougs have a ton of new faces that there will be some growing pains. That said, I don't see them losing to Idaho.
September 6 vs. St. Thomas - W. The Tommies are a program that are on the rise. I think they're one of the favorites to win the Pioneer League this year, and I believe they will be a future candidate to join the MVFC. However, Idaho's not gonna lose to a non-scholarship at home.
September 13 vs. Utah Tech - W. The first time since Idaho has re-joined the Big Sky that they will play 6 home games. This should be an easy one too.
September 20 @ San Jose State - L. This could be a close game, but I'm gonna say Idaho loses this one. I think Ken Niumatololo did a very nice job with the Spartans in his first season. He's a good coach that did a great job with Navy and now appears to have SJSU headed in the right direction.
September 27 @ Montana - L. This two game road trip is huge for Idaho. If they get swept by SJSU and the Griz, every game from here on out is a must win. They have to come away with at least one win in these two games. I think their odds are more likely against SJSU though. I think the Griz win by 10+.
October 4 BYE
October 11 vs. Northern Colorado - W. Should be a good bounce back game for them out of the bye.
October 18 @ Eastern Washington - W. These are always exciting games when these two face off but I don't see the Vandy's having any trouble in this one.
October 25 vs. Portland State - W. Nice little three game win streak before things get tough again.
October 31 @ Northern Arizona - L. Friday night Football on ESPN2. This might be the biggest home game NAU has had in a long time. This is a 50-50 game in my mind. I could see it going either way, but I do think NAU has a slightly better team and they're at home. Therefore I give the Jacks the edge.
November 8 vs. UC Davis - W. With their backs against the wall, I think Idaho rises to the occasion and wins a must win game. This will be tough, but they have to have it.
November 15 @ Sacramento State - L. Here's where Idaho's season comes to an end. While Sac State is a bit of a wildcard in my mind, I believe they will be a better team than Idaho and the Vandy's pick up their 5th loss here.
November 22 vs. Idaho State - W. If Idaho loses all the above mentioned games then they won't be playing for much in this one. I do think they'll win this one though.
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I got Idaho going 7-5 and just on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Boy is that a tough schedule. They have a lot riding on that San Jose State and NAU games. They got all the top Big Sky teams except for the cats, and two tough FBS games. 5 of those 6 road games are gonna be really tough. I think their ceiling is 8-4 and the floor is 6-6. That's my prediction. Thoughts?
