When Idaho lost its season opener against Bowling Green, most thought it was a fluke. It seems now, maybe it wasn’t and the 2011 Vandal football campaign might be lucky to finish the season with just four wins.
The Vandals rebounded after the week one loss, proving spring and fall camps must have been worth their time, by working over FCS opponent North Dakota. Since then the Vandals have been outscored 161 to 82 and have lost five straight.
Every coach and player on the squad has said the team is “so close” to breaking the barrier to get wins, and it is true. The Vandals are two plays from being 3-4, with a one-point overtime loss to BCS opponent Virginia, and a 7-point loss to WAC foe New Mexico State. Regardless of how close, losses don’t clinch bowl games, so where does the blame lie?
Fans are quick to point the finger at quarterback Brian Reader. Reader is a less-than-impressive, but not a terrible 52.5 percent passing for 1,446 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. But, Idaho is 86th in the country in sacks allowed, with 17 in seven games. It’s a wonder Reader has time to even find a receiver. His receiving core was depleted early in the season with injuries to starters Preston Davis and Justin Veltung — six losses cannot be placed on the shoulders of Reader.
Many blame offensive play calling, especially in two close road losses. It is difficult to reason with a 20-something drunk fan who says repeatedly a 2-point conversion to win in overtime is the worst call possible. On the road, in OT, why not? Yes, about the only thing that worked against Virginia was the defense and season MVP Bobby Cowan, but if the team has a chance to win — take it. Remember, if it had worked Akey would have been a god, just like after the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl.
The defense has been inconsistent. The Vandals rank 96th in total defense, but held their first two BCS opponents to just 58 points in two games. Subsequently, the Vandals let Fresno State and La. Tech tally 72 points in the Kibbie Dome. Injuries are not to blame on the defensive side of the ball and before the season began, cornerback Aaron Grymes said there were, “No holes — not in this defense.” I guess it just depends on which Saturday it is, because there are holes — sometimes large ones.
The most difficult part of the season is over and many expected to see Idaho around .500 at this point. Idaho faces one more non-conference opponent in BYU. BYU and Hawaii will likely be the toughest of the remaining five games, but the team has shown it can compete.
At this point in the season, the dream of a bowl berth is still alive, but the Vandals must be perfect to the end. If Idaho plays like it has, four wins will be a welcome end to the season. If Idaho finds consistency, stays healthy and mentally strong, it could find itself arguing its place for a bowl bid.
It is clear Idaho has problems, and the solutions are not simple. Whether it is injury, quarterbacking or offensive line, defensive line, cornerbacks or the secondary, offensive or defensive coordinating, coaching or simply team cohesion and morale — most don’t have the answers.
Football is a team sport coached by a staff. Regardless of the root of Idaho’s problems, one thing is clear — no individual is entirely responsible.