Idaho Vandals: Temper Expectations for 2026 Season

The Idaho Vandals will commence their 2026 football campaign this Friday, facing the Cal Poly Mustangs at Mustang Memorial Field. Head coach Thomas Ford Jr. is advocating for realistic expectations among fans, suggesting a goal of six to seven wins for the upcoming season, a notable improvement from last year's 4-8 record. This cautious outlook is partly due to the Vandals possessing the eighth-toughest schedule in the FCS out of 127 teams, reflecting the competitive nature of the Big Sky conference.

Coach Ford, now leading his own handpicked staff, including new coordinators for offense, defense, and special teams, inherited much of the team last season. Despite finishing ninth in the Big Sky with a 4-8 record, many games were close. Ford and senior quarterback Joshua Wood believe that with better performance in crucial end-of-game scenarios, the previous season's record could have been significantly better. The team's focus for 2026 is on meticulous preparation and excelling in critical moments like two-minute drills and third downs, rather than immediate championship aspirations.