College Football Predictions – Idaho Vandals 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 9-4
2016 ATS – 9-4
Yes, guy.
The Vandals peeled off their first winning season since 2009 and they did it with style. Idaho overcame a couple of early-season beatings (Washington, Washington St – lost by a combined score of 105-20) and finished up red hot winning their final five games including a bowl win over Colorado St as TWO touchdown underdogs. Shocking the world, indeed.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Sun Belt – TBD
OFFENSE
QB Matt Linehan returns this season to guide the Vandals to (hopefully) another bowl game appearance. Linehan threw for over 3,000 yards last season and capped it off with a LEGENDARY performance in the upset win over Colorado St in the FAMOUS Idaho Potato Bowl (21-31, 381, 4 TD 0 INT). The Vandals will be without five of their top six reception leaders from the 2016 squad but it always helps the transition if you have a solid senior QB.
Amaze your local PASTRY CHEF with this gem. Idaho has increased their average rushing production per game in EACH of the past four seasons. It is no surprise that their win total and record vs Vegas has also improved. The Vandals bring back everyone of note at RB including their 1-2 punch of Isaiah Saunders and Aaron Duckworth who combined to rush for over 1,400 yards and 14 TDs in 2016. The offensive line has good size but only returns 2/5 starters.
We expect the Vandals to exceed the 30-point per game mark on offense again this year.
DEFENSE
The Vandals allowed only 31 points per game last season after allowing 40+ in three of their four previous campaigns. The key was the run defense which ranked a respectable 5th in the Sun Belt. They also bagged 24 sacks which was the most since 2010. They only return five starters on defense this season but do bring back leading tackler LB Tony Lashley and #1 sack man DE Aikeem Coleman (8 sacks, 11 TFL, 7 QBH). We worry a lot about the pass defense that was lit up for almost 300 yards per game last season, but when you look at their schedule, it does not appear that they will be facing a lot of phenomenal QBs. The defense will be shaky but decent enough to get this team to a bowl game if the offense holds serve.
SPECIAL TEAMS
One of the biggest under-the-radar personnel losses in the Sun Belt is the graduation of P/PK Austin Rehkow who did a good job punting and a GREAT job with FGs (26/29 in 2016). So we have a new P, new PK and sketchy return units. Yikes.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
September 16 – at Western Michigan. Travel. Sun Belt play on deck.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Vandals had a positive turnover margin (+11) last year for the first time since 2010.
You do NOT want to face Idaho in a bowl game. SMALL SAMPLE SIZE GUY will tell you that the Vandals are undefeated in their three bowl appearances. Of note ? All of those games were played on the SMURF TURF in Boise, Idaho.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the VANDALS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season.
This is the SWAN SONG season in the FBS for the Idaho Vandals. We have enjoyed following this team even though, more often than not, they have struggled to win more than a few games. The schedule is very manageable and we give them a great chance to return to a bowl game. The question becomes – can they ride the US AGAINST THE WORLD mantra yet again ?
The Vandals are an excellent 23-13 (64%) (!) vs Vegas over the past three seasons. Given the concerns we have regarding the defense and special teams, and the fact that they will likely not sneak up on anyone, it may be best to pick your spots with this team ATS.
Thanks for the memories, Idaho !
Want more Idaho Vandals Football ?
Website
http://www.govandals.com/index.aspx?path=football
Forum
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http://scout.com/college/idaho/Board/Vandal-Football-103901
News
http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/university-of-idaho/
http://bleacherreport.com/idaho-vandals-football
http://www.spokesman.com/sections/vandals/
https://www.thevandalnation.com/category/mens-sports/football/
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/idaho-vandals
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Accounts
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