Sure, Northern Colorado is winless, and the Idaho Vandals are coming off their biggest win in three seasons.

Idaho coach Paul Petrino says overconfidence shouldn’t be an issue this week though, especially after watching the Bears on film this season.

At least, in the first half.

“You watch them, and they play people tough especially early,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “The Sac State score was really bad (50-0), but five minutes left in the half and it’s 7-0. It’s the end of the first quarter with Washington State and its a tight game (14-7 WSU, a game the Cougars eventually won 59-17). They played San Jose State tough the entire game (in a 35-18 loss in the season opener), and they go down and beat Arkansas. They’ve played pretty good defense; their offense has put them in some tough spots.”

Idaho (2-2) visits Northern Colorado (0-4) today at Nottingham Field for the Big Sky Conference football opener for both teams. It’s also the first meeting between the schools all-time. Northern Colorado transitioned to FCS in 2006; before that, the Bears were in Division II, winning back-to-back national titles in 1996 and ‘97. Mike Breske, Idaho’s defensive coordinator, was Northern Colorado’s DC on both title teams.

Milo Hall, a transfer from Wyoming, ran for 113 yards against WSU. But the Bears are averaging just 10.25 points per game, and allowing 39.5. Northern Colorado is averaging 259 yards per game, and allowing 494.3.

Idaho is averaging 24.8 points and 358 yards per game, and allowing 39.5 points and 447.2 yards.

Idaho, 4-7 last year in its return to the Big Sky, gained some much-needed confidence last week by handling conference favorite Eastern Washington at home in a nonconference game (don’t ask). That should have gotten the attention of the rest of the conference, but many’s the team that has followed up an emotional win with a giant stinker of a game.

Avoiding that would be the next step in the process of what the school dubs “The Return.”

Besides, if they need any additional motivation, the Vandals are 0-8 on the road since returning to FCS in 2018.

“We’ve got to be ready to play,” Petrino said.