Idaho-BSU back on rivalry weekend

It’s not quite like the good ol’ days, but it’s close.

After a four-year hiatus, the Idaho-Boise State game is back on college football’s rivalry weekend, as it was from 1983-2000. The Vandals visit BSU Saturday at noon (PST) for the 35th series meeting.

Idaho leads 17-16-1, but the Broncos have reeled off six straight victories, four by lopsided margins. BSU dealt Nick Holt a 65-7 setback in his Vandals coaching debut last September.

“I like it (during) rivalry week,” Holt said. “The third week of November you kind of start getting used to those big games. It’s kind of nice, a traditional game. That’s what makes college football so special.”

For 18 consecutive seasons, Idaho-Boise State was the regular-season finale. The difference this time around is each team has one game remaining after Saturday. Idaho visits San Jose State and BSU is at Louisiana Tech.

The game was played in September – one matchup was held in August – while Idaho (Sun Belt) and BSU (WAC) resided in different conferences from 2001-2004. The Vandals joined the WAC this season.

“I think it’s great (to return to the November date) for Vandals fans and Broncos fans,” Holt said. “Hopefully, we’re a little different team than we were in the opener last year. Hopefully, we’ll be more competitive for four quarters.”

BSU coach Dan Hawkins didn’t seem moved one way or the other by the timing of the game.

“Our schedule is always so wild anyway, you just saddle up and go with it,” he said.

Call correct

After reviewing videotape of Idaho’s onside kick recovery that was nullified by a penalty for an illegal formation Saturday, Holt said the officials made the proper call.

“Yep, it was,” Holt said. “One of our guys was a little too far over. He had no bearing on the play, but he was misaligned.”

Idaho had just closed within 41-38 when Wendell Octave recovered Mike Barrow’s onside kick with 2:05 remaining, but the Vandals didn’t have the required four players lined up to Barrow’s right side.

Looking out for No. 1

Fresno State’s scheduling motto under coach Pat Hill has been “anybody, anywhere, anytime.” That translates to USC, L.A. Memorial Coliseum, 7:15 Saturday night.

The top-ranked Trojans have won 32 straight. No. 16 Fresno State is a decided underdog (24.5 points).

“When you’re playing the No. 1 team late in the year, those opportunities don’t come (often),” Hill said.

Fresno State lost 52-28 to No. 1 Oklahoma in 2003. The Bulldogs, guided by quarterback Trent Dilfer, upended No. 23 USC 24-7 in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, which remains one of the biggest wins in school history.

“It’s amazing – out of the 60-man travel squad (for USC) I think almost half were on the team that played Oklahoma, and they were mostly redshirt freshmen and sophomores,” Hill said. “Now we’re juniors and seniors. I feel we’re taking a lot better team.”

Notes

Louisiana Tech (6-3, 5-1 WAC), which has a bye this week, can claim the conference title with wins in its last two games against Boise State and Fresno State. “It’s a great time for a bye,” coach Jack Bicknell said. … San Jose State coach Dick Tomey wouldn’t be surprised if Fresno State hangs with USC. “Obviously, USC is a juggernaut,” he said. “I think there may not be as much difference between the teams as is perceived.” … Idaho offensive linemen John Neddo, a scout-team player the last two years, started his second straight game Saturday. Neddo, from Kuna, Idaho, suffered a knee injury that will likely keep him out of the game against BSU.