Idaho Vandals 2016 NCAA Football Preview
IDAHO VANDALS
Sun Belt Conference
2015 Record – 4-8
ATS – 6-6
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Conference #8
2015 Recap
The Vandals scored a lot of points, and they gave up a lot more. But at least they were a fun team to watch en route to a 4-8 season. After back-to-back one-win campaigns it appears that HC Paul Petrino is making some strides with this program. Sadly, there are only two more seasons left in Sun Belt play before the Vandals are jettisoned into the Big Sky Conference (FCS).
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
QB Matt Linehan returns for his junior year and was very close to putting up a 3,000-yard passing season in 2015. Linehan did a nice job moving the chains most of the time but had a disappointing 16 TD to 11 Int ratio. Backup QB Jake Luton is no longer with the team so depth is a question mark.
Despite the loss of leading WR Dezmon Epps, there are still plenty of options in the passing game including 2nd Team Sun Belt selection Callen Hightower and TE Buck Cowan who hauled in 48 balls for over 600 yards. Idaho is going to have to find a way to run the ball without last season’s leading rusher Elijhaa Perry who ran for 1,159 yards and 10 TDs last year. The level of talent in the RB unit is unknown but the good news is that the offensive line should be very good. They return 4/5 starters to the unit including G Mason Woods who is listed at an impossible 6-9 336.
DEFENSE
Oh boy. The Vandals have given up over 40 points per game three times in the past four seasons. They allowed 273 yards rushing per game (!) and they were not playing Georgia Southern every week. They could not stop the run or the pass. And could not get any pressure on opposing QBs (13 sacks all year). That is the trinity of stench.
Six starters return to the unit this season. They do have three senior starters in the secondary and some beef on the DL but it is going to be another long season if the Vandals cannot find a way to slow teams down or generate some turnovers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Whoa ! Idaho has a huge weapon in Austin Rehkow. He blasted away to a 1st Team Sun Belt performance at punter and also found time to hit 23/27 FGs last season. The return teams were a mess but the presence of Rehkow this year makes this unit legitimate.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 4.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Idaho has an outside shot to make a bowl game this season and they are certainly motivated to do just that. With only two more seasons left in the FBS ranks, this is a great time to make it to a bowl game, particularly with all the experience on offense. If they can slither past Montana St in the opener, and not lose their will to live after playing Washington and Washington St on the road, they just might be able to sneak in six wins and become bowl eligible. Maybe.
Overall, we give the VANDALS a 4.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season. It is really tough for us to support a team that is potentially horrendous on defense. And will they have a running game this season ? HC Petrino has guided the Vandals to a 14-9 mark ATS the past two seasons and that has to be respected. This style of team is just not our cup of tea when trying to narrow down our card for the week but we would honestly be thrilled if they could make a bowl game.
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Website
http://www.govandals.com/index.aspx?path=football
Forum
http://www.scout.com/college/idaho/forums/2664-vandal-football
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://twitter.com/VandalFootball @VandalFootball