Preseason Forecast
The Big Sky Conference on Tuesday unveiled its preseason coaches and media polls for the 2026 campaign, setting expectations for each of its ten member schools. In the media ballot the Vandals earned a sixth‑place projection, while the coaches’ poll placed them a spot lower at seventh. Both rankings reflect a competitive landscape that also sees Montana State, Montana and UC Davis cited as early favorites.
Idaho’s program enters the season with a sense of optimism. Coach Thomas Ford Jr. announced that he has assembled the strongest high school recruiting class in school history, a recruiting coup that could reshape the roster’s depth. The team will also benefit from the return of star quarterback Joshua Wood, who opted to stay for a fifth year, and the addition of veteran coordinators Ian Shoemaker and Lee Stalker.
Ford, along with Wood and senior linebacker Cruz Hepburn, will represent the Vandals at the 2026 Big Sky Kickoff event in Spokane, Washington, where the conference will showcase its storylines and schedule highlights.
Key Storylines
The most compelling narrative revolves around the Vandals’ offensive revamp. With Wood back under center and a fresh infusion of talent at skill positions, the coaching staff believes the offense can finally click after years of inconsistency. Defensive upgrades, anchored by new coordinators, aim to tighten a unit that struggled in the previous season.
The non‑conference slate begins with a high‑profile test on August 28, when Idaho travels to face Cal Poly in a game that will be streamed live on ESPN. A week later the team returns home to open its conference schedule against Lamar on September 12, a matchup that could set the tone for the remainder of the year.