MOSCOW, Idaho – The preseason hype for this game has proven to be well-founded and ESPN2 is coming to Bozeman to take on two top-10 teams. Both teams have victories against Mountain West opponents, but the Vandals are more battle-tested as they are ranked second with the second-best team strength, while MSU is ranked 76th, according to Massey Computer Rankings. The Vandals have a top-notch defense while MSU has a top-notch offense.

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals’ six opponents were either FCS teams or FBS opponents, four of the six were away, leaving Idaho 4-2 after the tough stretch. Keyshawn James Newby leads the FCS with 7.5 sacks in six games. The Vandals rank sixth in the FCS in sacks despite playing two FBS teams with a strong tradition of offensive line play. quarterback Jack Wagner was solid, picking up wins in his first three starts. Nate Thomas Lead the Vandals with five rushing touchdowns this season Jordan Dwyer has four receiving TDS.

ABOUT MONTANA STATE: It’s not for nothing that Montana State is the third-place team in the FCS and starts with an outstanding offensive line. Behind the line, the Bobcats amassed over 1,800 yards on the ground, led by Scottre Humphrey with 668 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The passing game is also solid, with 1,185 yards behind the arm of Tommy Mellott. McCade O’Reilly has a team-high 39 tackles, while Brody Grebe has five sacks. Head coach Brent Vigen is 38-9 in his fourth season at Montana State.

CHOOSE SIX

1. ECK’S VANDALS OVERFLOW THE MOUNTAIN WEST AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs Jason Eck after defeating Wyoming 17-13 last Saturday in Laramie. The Vandals have given up a total of just 19 points in two games against Mountain West opponents over the last two seasons and have allowed just one touchdown between the two games. The win helps put Idaho in a great position to advance to the FCS portion of the schedule. Montana State and Idaho both picked up wins against Mountain West teams this season.

2. STREET WARRIOR: Idaho is playing its fifth road game in just seven games to start the season. The Vandals played consecutive FBS opponents at Oregon and Wyoming before hosting a ranked UAlbany team at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome before traveling to Abilene Christian and UC Davis. The Vandals are 4-2 in their first six games. In the first two seasons under coach Eck, Idaho won as many road games (eight) as in the previous six seasons.

3. YOUTH IN INJURY: There are 54 offensive players listed on Idaho’s roster. First: transfer tight end Mike Martínezis listed as senior. Of the 54, 46 are listed as freshmen or sophomores. The youth movement in Idaho’s offense is real, but the talent to match is there after the Vandals compiled top-10 recruiting classes in the FCS each of the last two years.

4. Freshers: Starting quarterback to open the season Jack Layne was injured in the fourth quarter of Idaho’s season opener at Oregon. He is expected to be out for an extended period of time, which opens the door for redshirt freshmen Jack Wagner take the starting role. Wagner started the Wyoming game with his first eight passes before finishing the game 12-for-21 for 101 yards and a touchdown. He threw no interceptions and was sacked only once in the 17-13 season. He had another solid performance against UAlbany, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Idaho is 6-1 under corner as the season-opening backup QBs start the game. Redshirt freshman QB in the last two games Nick Josifek saw action. The two rookies are listed as “or” starters on this week’s depth chart.

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE TRENCHES: Idaho has replaced starters at almost every experienced position on offense, both at corner and two of three linebackers, but the lineup is a different story. Seven of last season’s 10 offensive linemen return, including four starters. On defense, six of the eight return, including all four starters from last season. Last year, nine of the 10 players on the O-line depth chart were freshmen or sophomores, and while there still isn’t a single senior on the O-line, the group has the playing experience of a much older team.

6. DOMINANT D-LINE: Idaho’s defensive line has shown it can play with anyone. It faced two strong FBS units and came away with seven sacks in a Big Sky Conference win. Keyshawn James Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 total sacks in six games, surpassing his total of five sacks all of last year. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team held Oregon to under 35 points. Dallas Afalava has 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Idaho didn’t allow a touchdown from the first quarter of the Wyoming game until the final minutes of the UAlbany game. The Vandals also held UC Davis to just 26 rushing yards.