It might be hard to find a more lopsided college football series considered a regional or conference rivalry than the one between Weber State and Idaho State.

The series began in 1962 and the teams split the first 24 contests evenly, 12-12.

Since 1985, Weber State has an advantage of 34-3.

Currently, the Wildcats have won seven straight against the Bengals, with the orange cats’ last win over the purple cats coming in head coach Jay Hill’s first season, a 46-28 decision in 2014.

This season, Weber State is 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big Sky while playing No. 5 James Madison in nonconference, and having faced No. 6 Montana State, No. 7 Eastern Washington and No. 9 UC Davis in league play.

Idaho State is 1-6 overall and 1-4 in the Big Sky. The Bengals lost to unranked North Dakota in nonconference play, and have taken lopsided road losses to Northern Arizona and Portland State, while losing 29-7 to Montana State.

But it’s what Idaho State has done at home this season that has Weber State’s attention.

The Bengals nearly got Sacramento State 23-21 in a home loss; the Hornets are now ranked No. 15. Then ISU defeated UC Davis 27-17 at Holt Arena.

“If you look at what they did against UC Davis in that game, they forced three early turnovers, they got a good lead. They were up 24-3 in that game. The offense did a good job taking care of the football, and they were tough,” Hill said. “That’s what Idaho State is. They’re tough. They’re going to play sound defense. They’re going to make you earn it.”

If the Idaho State defense is to be tough, it hinges on linebackers Connor Wills (56 tackles, one forced fumble) and Oshea Trujillo (36 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery). Defensive back Jayden Dawson makes plays, too, with 39 tackles, an interception returned for 61 yards, and nine pass breakups.

“This is the same defense, almost every one of these guys, the same defense that played in the spring. For the most part, in the spring, those guys played very well defensively,” Hill said.

If Weber State gets the result it wants, it will include being able to run the football behind an offensive line that moves people off the line of scrimmage like it did at Eastern Washington.

Idaho State’s offense is somewhat of a mystery, with usual QB starter Tyler Vander Waal — who threw 36 of 83 for 572 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in two starts against Weber in the spring — recently shelved with an injury. His status is unknown.

The Bengals have looked to Hunter Hays, who has appeared in all seven games this season, for most of their QB snaps. He’s thrown for 867 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.

Last week against Montana State, ISU employed a two-quarterback system with Hays and Sagan Gronauer, but Gronauer is only 2 of 5 for 28 yards passing, appearing in three games.

ISU has the same playmakers on the outside if the quarterbacks can get it to them: the speedy Tanner Conner (21 catches, 380 yards, three touchdowns, 18.1 yards per reception) and Xavier Guillory (19 catches, 256 yards, one touchdown, 13.5).

But the Bengals hurt themselves in the turnover game. ISU has forced just seven turnovers (four interceptions, three lost fumbles), or one per game, but have surrendered 16 (10 interceptions, six fumbles), or more than two per game.

Weber State has struggled to force turnovers against good teams, though it recovered two fumbles and picked off a pass at Eastern Washington last week to finish plus-one in the turnover margin.

Against Dixie State and Cal Poly, the two WSU opponents this season most similar to ISU’s profile, the Wildcats won the scoreboard 79-10 and forced five turnovers between the two games.

INJURY REPORT

While Vander Waal’s status is not known for ISU, Bronson Barron is expected to start for WSU despite missing the fourth quarter in last week’s win at Eastern Washington. Hill said Barron took a hit to his throwing hand that, aside from banging it up, caused it to go numb and neither was comfortable with him throwing the ball.

Running back Josh Davis was progressing in practice, Hill said, after a leg injury Oct. 15 against Montana State, but it’s possible he does not play this week. With Kris Jackson healthy, Dave Jones resurgent, and Dontae McMillan skilled, WSU’s run game doesn’t necessarily hinge on Davis being available.

Junior defensive back Desmond Williams is listed as the starter at strong safety on this week’s depth chart, moving Preston Smith back to free safety and Braxton Gunther to Smith’s backup. Williams returned from an ACL injury to play a bit against Montana State, then played 51 of 76 snaps against Eastern Washington.

“He’s tough, he’s disciplined, he’s dedicated … and that’s how he plays,” Hill said of Williams. “He sees things well, he’s instinctive, he led our team in the spring in turnovers forced … he’s just that guy that’s around the ball and seems to be in the right place at the right time a lot.”

ODDS & PREDICTIONS

Jeff Sagarin, longtime college football computer ratings guru, ranks all of FBS and FCS together. His system ranks Weber State 124th nationally and Idaho State 193rd.

Using his prediction formula and accounting for home-field advantage, Weber State is favored by 13.5 points.

WEATHER

This will be the first and only game this season Weber State plays in a dome during the regular season. Holt Arena will probably be somewhere in the low- to mid-70s. For fans making the trip Saturday, outdoor weather is forecasted to be mostly cloudy and 57 degrees at kickoff time, and 60 degrees when the game ends. Somewhat balmy for late October, but make sure to account for Pocatello’s perpetual wind.

TV & RADIO

The game, scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Pocatello, Idaho, will be streamed on the ESPN+ subscription service available through the ESPN mobile or streaming app, or online at watchespn.com.

Steve Klauke and Jerry Graybeal will have Weber State’s radio call over the air locally at 103.1 FM and streaming online at 1031thewave.com.

Newsletter