Predictions for game day: Evenly-matched UNC, Idaho expected to have close finish

Followers ought to anticipate a enjoyable, rowdy sport on the Kibbie Dome this weekend in Moscow, Idaho.

The College of Northern Colorado (2-2, 1-0 Huge Sky) will face the Idaho Vandals (2-2, 1-0 Huge Sky) on their house turf Saturday, and the matchup is predicted to be a superb one.

UNC goes into the sport with a 35-14 homecoming win over Idaho State. It was the primary time since 2016 that the group had received on homecoming.

Idaho, nonetheless, is attempting to comply with up its 27-10 highway victory towards Northern Arizona. Each groups held their opponents scoreless within the second half. It will likely be homecoming for the Vandals this weekend, who want to earn a victory for its house crowd.

Northern Colorado 21 – Idaho 23

This ought to be an in depth sport, however Idaho has the home-field benefit and its performances this season have been spectacular each week.

“I feel it is a very carefully matched soccer sport,” UNC coach Ed McCaffrey stated Tuesday. “They’re very proficient at their talent positions. They’ve dimension and energy, and a few guys which have had some accolades from a 12 months in the past returning up entrance on either side of the ball. It is a actual massive problem for us.”

UNC will possible put up a superb battle, but it surely hasn’t been as constant nor did it get the expertise of enjoying towards two FBS groups. With the Vandals’ consistency and spectacular outings within the Energy 5 matchups, they’re favored to win.

Idaho has related numbers in comparison with UNC, each recording greater than 20 factors per sport and round 350 yards of complete offense.

The Bears have discovered extra success on third down, changing on 27-of-63 makes an attempt, in comparison with Idaho’s, 16-of-57.

After they get into the crimson zone, Idaho has been far more constant, scoring 14 occasions out of its 15 journeys contained in the 20. UNC holds a crimson zone scoring conversion of 10-for-14.

Each defenses are additionally aggressive and may restrict their opponents. The Bears have extra tackles general, however the Vandals have recorded a number of extra tackles for a loss.

Moreover, Idaho is barely stronger on move protection and pressuring the quarterback, which could possibly be one other benefit for the house squad. Nevertheless, UNC has compelled and recovered extra fumbles.

Penalties are one other space to look at, since each squads common a number of every sport. UNC’s numbers are barely skewed as a result of its 105 yards misplaced towards Houston Baptist, however they every common greater than 50 yards misplaced every sport.

Sophomore linebacker Elijah Anderson-Taylor stated he thinks the outcome will come right down to gamers doing their “1/eleventh” and staying targeted.

With the groups being statistically related, it’s affordable to anticipate that the end result will come right down to small particulars.

“These guys are for actual, however I feel we’ve some expertise in our group, as nicely,” McCaffrey stated. “I feel that the better-prepared group and the group that wishes it extra will most likely find yourself successful this one. I anticipate a reasonably good competitors and definitely occurring the highway and enjoying within the dome will likely be a problem for us.”

UNC will face Idaho at 7 p.m. Saturday in Moscow. The sport will likely be obtainable on ESPN+, 1310 KFKA and the Idaho Vandal Radio Community.

Predictions for video games throughout the Huge Sky

Montana 62 – Idaho State 13

Northern Arizona 15 – Portland State 18

Sacramento State 35 – Cal Poly 10

UC Davis 17 – Montana State 27

Japanese Washington 26 – Florida 48 (Sunday)