Idaho adds No. Illinois

Idaho has finalized its 2007 non-conference football schedule and firmed up its 2008 and 2009 non-conference slates.

The Vandals, stung by Eastern Michigan’s late pullout, instead will play Northern Illinois on Sept. 22 in the Kibbie Dome. The Huskies went 7-6 last season, losing to Texas Christian 37-7 in the Poinsettia Bowl. Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan are members of the Mid-American Conference.

Idaho will visit Northern Illinois in 2009.

“There were no other options, other than to go on the road to play and I wasn’t going to do that,” Idaho athletic director Rob Spear said.

New head coach Robb Akey’s first assignment this fall will be against USC, a possible preseason No. 1, in Los Angeles. The Vandals will entertain I-AA Cal Poly on Sept. 8 and make the short trip to Washington State on Sept. 15 before taking on Northern Illinois the following week.

The WAC schedule hasn’t been finalized.

Idaho’s 2007 contest against WSU will probably be the last for the Palouse neighbors for the immediate future. They’ve met every season since 1998. The Vandals won in 1999 and 2000, but WSU has dominated the last six contests with only one outcome closer than two touchdowns.

Both schools have expressed a desire to suspend the regional rivalry.

“We’d look at it and do it maybe a once every three years or something like that,” said WSU athletic director Jim Sterk. Sterk said WSU doesn’t have anything firm set up for the date Idaho would vacate at WSU.

In 2008, Idaho’s non-conference schedule includes a trip to Arizona, home games against Idaho State and Oregon State and a road game versus San Diego State. The Aztecs replace WSU on Idaho’s schedule.

The future schedules adhere to Spear’s scheduling strategy of one so-called “money” game and three games that Idaho should have a reasonable chance at winning. Spear also wants Idaho to play two non-conference road games and two at home. Counting four WAC home games, that would give Idaho six home games annually.

“I think we’re finally getting it where it’s a little more strategic,” Spear said.

In 2009, Idaho will play at Northern Illinois, at Washington and entertain San Diego State and Colorado State.

The 2010 slate includes a road game against Colorado State and a home date with UNLV. Idaho is considering playing Big 12 power Nebraska in Lincoln. If that were to occur, Idaho would probably round out its schedule with a I-AA foe.