Magic number awaits Vandals?
The first time this year I heard Robb Akey mention the B-word, it was a few days before spring practice. For a coach with a 3-21 record after two years at Idaho, talking about a bowl berth seemed a tad silly. Now, of course, a postseason spot is oh-so-close to becoming reality with a sixth win.
Keep reading for more on the Vandals' quest to become bowl eligible against Hawaii today. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at the Kibbie Dome.
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First, let's start with the blurb we have in today's S-R:
KICKOFF: 2 p.m., Kibbie Dome
Records: Hawaii 2-3, 0-2 WAC; UI 5-1, 2-0
TV/Radio: ESPN Regional (DirecTV Ch. 682, Dish Network Ch. 447)/1080-AM
Overview: Gliding along on their longest winning streak since 1998, the Vandals open their Western Athletic Conference home slate against a Hawaii team marred by injuries and stuck in a rut. Idaho has won four straight since stumbling at Washington while the Warriors are on a three-game losing skid. Hawaii has the nation’s No. 1 receiver in Greg Salas (136 yards per game) and the No. 3 passing offense (372.2 yards per game) in the FBS ranks. But the Warriors lost starting quarterback Greg Alexander for the season two weeks ago and have entrusted their shotgun offense to sophomore walk-on Bryant Moniz, who handled his start last week well considering the circumstances. A Vandals win would ensure the team at least a .500 record – that hasn’t happened since 1999 – and make UI eligible for a long-coveted bowl berth. But it will have to shore up its pass coverage to beat UH for the first time since 1960.
For other perspectives on the game, here's the advance in the Lewiston Tribune (Jesse Baumgartner mentions 12,000 tickets had been sold as of Friday afternoon; he also has this prediction). The Idaho Statesman has this look at the team's Hawaiians. The Honolulu Advertiser has this preview, and the Star-Bulletin has this look with an interesting quote from former UI head man/Hawaii special teams coach Chris Tormey.
As Tormey said, the Dome should be rocking this afternoon; it doesn't look like it will be a sellout but my guess is roughly 15,000 folks will show up for a game full of implications. Yes, Idaho can technically become bowl eligible. But Vandal players and coaches seemed more concerned with keeping their winning streak intact -- and remaining atop the WAC standings.
The most interesting thing to watch will be how UI handles Hawaii's passing attack. On the radio earlier this week Robb Akey said it should be a long (but entertaining) afternoon because of how many passes UH will put up. The question is, will the Vandals' secondary be effective in curtailing big plays? Two weeks ago, it was poor tackling against Colorado State that stuck out; last week, the problems were more widespread.
These pass coverage issues have plagued Idaho for several seasons, really. With limited personnel options in the defensive backfield, the best option for Idaho is to get good pressure from its front seven -- something that happened enough against San Diego State, for example, to throw the Aztecs off their game. Idaho's defensive line has been very solid this season, especially against the run. But D-ends Aaron Lavarias and Andre Ferguson have a half a sack between them this year. That's not a pretty stat.
We'll be back later and feel free to my follow my comments and updates on Twitter.