MOSCOW, Idaho — In the first FCS Stats Perform Top 25 Football Poll of 2024, the Idaho Vandals are ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation and the Eastern Washington Eagles are receiving votes.
The Vandals are ranked seventh in the nation to begin the season behind South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Montana, Montana State, South Dakota and Villanova.
Idaho boasts five preseason All-Big Sky selections in tight end Jake Cox, EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby, defensive lineman Dallas Afalava, safety Tommy McCormick, and kick returner Abraham Williams.
The Vandals begin the season on the road in Eugene against College Football Playoff favorite Oregon a year after taking a 17-0 first-half lead over then Pac-12 school California.
Jack Layne is entering his first season as the Vandal starting quarterback, however, he is 2-0 in two career starts against Idaho State and threw six first-half touchdowns in his start against the Bengals last season.
Idaho hopes to return to the FCS playoffs for the third straight year under head coach Jason Eck, who just signed a contract extension through 2028.
As for Eastern Washington, the Eags boast just one preseason All-Big Sky player, but he is also a preseason first-team All-American. Senior wide receiver Efton Chism III continues to collect preseason accolades and got the most first-team votes of any wide receiver in the Big Sky.
The Eags have gone 7-15 over the last two seasons thanks in large part to a porous defense which has not been able to stop any team's rushing attack.
This season, EWU has a new defensive coordinator in Eric Sanders and a softer non-conference schedule than in past years.
Second-year starting quarterback Kekoa Visperas led the Big Sky in passing and total offense last season.
EWU begins the season at home against Monmouth on Thursday, August 26. The Eags hope to return to the FCS playoff picture this season for the first time since 2021.
