MOSCOW, Idaho – The preseason hype for this game appears to be well-founded and ESPN2 comes to Bozeman for a matchup with two top-10 teams. Both teams have wins against Mountain West opponents, but the Vandals are more tested, ranking second in the schedule according to Massey Computer Rankings, while MSU’s strength in the schedule sits at 76th. The Vandals have a top-ranked defense, while MSU brings in a top-ranked offense.

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals’ six opponents are ranked as FCS teams or FBS opponents, while four of the six are on the road, leaving Idaho 4-2 after the tough stretch. Keyshawn James Newby leads the FCS with 7.5 sacks through six games. The Vandals rank sixth as a team in the FCS in sacks, despite playing two FBS teams with a strong tradition of offensive line play. Quarterback Jac Wagner was solid, taking wins in his first three starts. Nate Thomas led the Vandals with five rushing touchdowns on the season Jordan Dwyer has four receiving TDS.

ABOUT THE STATE OF MONTANA: Montana State is the third-ranked team in the FCS for a reason and starts up front with an excellent offensive line. Behind the line, the Bobcats have racked up more than 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. THE VANDALS OF ECK THROW THE MOUNTAIN WEST AGAIN: Idaho is now 2-0 in games against Mountain West programs Jason Eck after outscoring Wyoming 17-13 last Saturday in Laramie. The Vandals have given up just 19 total points in two games against Mountain West opponents over the past two seasons, giving up just one touchdown between the two games. The win puts Idaho in prime position as it enters the FCS portion of the schedule. Montana State and Idaho both have wins against Mountain West teams this season.

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

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

4. STARTING FRESH YEAR STUDENTS: Season opener from quarterback 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, opening the door for the freshman Jac Wagner to step into the starting role. Wagner started the game at Wyoming by completing his first eight passes before finishing the game at 12-21 for 101 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw an interception and was sacked just once in the 17-13. He had another solid performance against UAlbany, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Idaho is 6-1 under Eck when the season-opening backup QBs start the game. During the last two games, freshman QB Nick Josifek has seen action. The two freshmen are listed as “or” starters on this week’s depth chart.

5. EXPERIENCE IN THE GLOVES: Idaho has replaced starters at almost every capable position on offense, including the corner positions and two of the three linebackers, but the line is a different story. Seven of the 10 offensive linemen on last season’s final depth chart 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 squad.

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 a Big Sky Conference-leading seven sacks. Keyshawn James Newby is second in the FCS with 7.5 total sacks in six games, surpassing his total of five from last year. The Vandals held Oregon to just 24 points, the first time an FCS team has ever held Oregon 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.