For the first time in years, genuine optimism surrounds Idaho State University football heading into the fall. The Bengals enter the 2026 season picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky Conference coaches poll and fourth in the media poll — projections that represent the program’s strongest preseason standing since 2014, the last year ISU earned a national ranking when the team finished 25th in the country and went 8-4 overall.
That kind of anticipation hasn’t been common in Pocatello for some time. Idaho State’s last winning record season was 2018, and the road back to respectability has been a long one. This year’s preseason All-American trio and a favorable home schedule are fueling belief that 2026 could mark a real turning point.
Home Schedule Sets the Stage
The Bengals open the season Saturday, Aug. 29, hosting Virginia Military Institute at home. VMI went 1-11 last season, making the opener a matchup Idaho State will be expected to win. The home slate doesn’t stop there — ISU has seven home games scheduled this year, a significant opportunity to build momentum in front of the Pocatello faithful.
The nonconference schedule also brings San Diego to town on Sept. 12. San Diego went 8-4 last season, though the Toreros took a 41-7 beating from Montana State, providing some context for where that program stands against Big Sky-caliber competition.
Big Sky play begins Oct. 3 when Northern Arizona visits. That matchup carries some sting — Northern Arizona defeated Idaho State 31-18 last season, a loss the Bengals will be eager to avenge on their home field. The schedule continues Oct. 10 with Cal Poly coming to town for what the Bengals are treating as a homecoming opportunity. Idaho State has not lost to Cal Poly since 2021, and Cal Poly is projected to finish 11th in the conference after an 8th-place finish last year — a result that followed a 41-17 loss to Montana State.
Portland State visits Oct. 24 in what could be one of the most lopsided home matchups of the year. The Vikings are projected to finish 12th out of 13 teams in both preseason polls, coming off a brutal 1-11 season. Few expect that to be a close contest.
Marquee Matchups at Season’s End
The final two home games carry the most weight. Montana State, last season’s conference champion and national championship winner, comes to Pocatello on Nov. 7. Idaho State’s last victory over the Bobcats came back in 2018, and Montana State will enter as a heavy favorite. Still, for a program rebuilding its identity, making that game competitive at home will matter.
The season wraps Nov. 21 with the Idaho Vandals visiting — a rivalry game that Idaho State controlled last year, beating Idaho 37-16 in Moscow by 21 points. Closing out a seven-game home slate with a rivalry win would be a meaningful way to cap the season.
If the Bengals handle the games they’re projected to win, analysts estimate a home record of 5-2 or 6-1 — which would represent the most home wins for Idaho State since that 2014 campaign when they went a perfect 6-0 at home.
ISU fans heading to games this year will also find an improved venue experience. Idaho State University recently completed upgrades to the ICCU Dome, including enhanced security infrastructure, a new outdoor patio, and expanded concessions — improvements designed to make gameday more comfortable for a fanbase that has plenty of reasons to show up this fall.
What Comes Next
The Bengals’ opener against VMI is set for Saturday, Aug. 29 in Pocatello. Kickoff details are expected through Idaho State’s official athletics channels. With preseason expectations higher than they’ve been in over a decade, this figures to be a closely watched season for the program and for Big Sky Conference football as a whole. Fans and observers alike will get their first real look at whether this year’s squad can turn those polls into wins starting this weekend.