Lots on the line for Vandals
Updated: 2:05 p.m.
Idaho is staring at another postseason elimination game tomorrow night at Fresno State (7 p.m., SWX and other regional outlets). We've got our preview of the game below -- and a look at how BSU's loss to Nevada last night affects Idaho's bowl chances. Check out more on the Vandals at twitter.com/SR_JoshWright.
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UPDATE: After Boise State's stunning loss to Nevada last night, the Vandals' chances of securing a bowl bid if they win their final two games becomes much more dicey. Beyond the Hawaii Bowl, which has already invited Hawaii, the WAC has three automatic bowl tie-ins -- the Kraft Hunger, Humanitarian and New Mexico Bowls. Nevada, Boise State and Fresno State have already qualified, leaving Idaho perhaps without a home. However, the H-Bowl would no doubt love to have Idaho again (if BSU goes elsewhere). And consider, if Idaho wins out, it would finish 7-5, 4-4 in the WAC. That would be the same league record as Fresno, with a win head-to-head over the Bulldogs. And when it comes time to choose, the H-Bowl (which gets the designated WAC No. 2) or New Mexico Bowl (WAC No. 3) don't have to stick to the conference standings anyway.
By Josh Wright
Correspondent
MOSCOW, Idaho – Fresno State, after consecutive losses, is trying to avoid a late-season meltdown. Idaho is eying back-to-back wins to all but assure the first back-to-back bowl trips in program history.
On both sides of tonight’s Western Athletic Conference clash, the implications are clear. But when it comes to determining which team needs a win more, Robb Akey – in full playoff mode – says the answer is obvious.
“We’re playing for our lives. We’re fighting for our bowl lives,” the UI coach said. “We’ve got to win this week and we’ve got to win the following week to get that bowl opportunity.
“In my opinion, we’re playing for more than they are.”
The Vandals stand at 5-6 after one of their strongest performances of the year last week at Utah State. They knew before meeting the Aggies that they had to win three straight to clinch a second consecutive bowl bid, and they’re presented with an equally urgent task this week.
If they upend Fresno State (6-4), a victory next week in Moscow over last-place San Jose State will give the Vandals a winning record.
“It’s drilled into all of our minds that this game will make or break our season,” senior running back Deonte Jackson said. “It’s not our last game, but if we don’t win it, it’s our last chance at getting our big goal – that’s making another bowl game.”
Akey liked how UI responded a week ago in what he dubbed the team’s first postseason elimination game. But tonight the Vandals will square off with a far more polished opponent.
Fresno State’s Robbie Rouse is 12th in the nation in rushing (113 yards per game), headlining an offense that averages 31 points per game. The Bulldogs also have second-best pass defense in the WAC and a pair of defensive linemen, Chris Carter and Logan Harrell, with nine sacks apiece.
The Vandals, 10.5-point underdogs, have yet to claim a victory over an opponent with a winning record this season. When Akey was told that note this week – apparently for the first time – he said jokingly, “Don’t tell me stuff like that. I was feeling good when I came in here this morning.”
“I look at it this way,” he added, “we’ve got an opportunity to become a better football team. We’ve got two opportunities to do that and if we can do that … we’ve got a chance to get to that third opportunity.”