It is safe to say football has always been a huge part of tradition here in the state of Idaho and the rest of the Palouse area, with Idaho, Washington State and Boise State making up most of the fanbases around the area.
Since Idaho’s departure of the FBS and return to the Big Sky conference, fans have continued to compare Idaho’s success with the other two powerhouse programs.
That comparison has to stop. Fans need to move on.
There was a time when Idaho was a perennial powerhouse here in the Northwest compared to the Cougars in Pullman and the Broncos in Boise. Unfortunately, it’s time to wake up and realize Idaho is not on that level anymore.
Idaho has a chance to be great once again in the Big Sky and fans should be more concerned about how the Vandals can one day be a dominant FCS team rather than compare the two other programs, programs that have hit their stride in recent years.
Idaho’s famous homecoming game happened last weekend, with Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer making the return to campus, but the bigger story was ESPN’s college football show “College GameDay” traveling to Pullman to highlight Washington State vs. Oregon as the national game of the week.
As for the team in blue, they are just busy trying to gain a Mountain West championship this season and probably make another bowl game.
Each program has its own storylines, its own goals, and even though these teams are united by being around the same region, each team could not be more different in size and stature.
Vandal fans need to focus more on the success and triumphs of their own team, rather than compare to the accolades of other schools.
It might hurt, but Boise State has a great football program and while it may not have been that way all the time, it surely has been the case for the past decade.
Washington State has struggled in the Pac-12 conference for many seasons, but has found some consistency in the past few seasons and is trying to claim its first conference title since 2002.
And as much as Vandal fans love to knit-pick at the other programs — sorry Idaho fans — Washington State and Boise State are not Idaho’s rivals any more. Instead of clinging onto the past, Idaho rekindled rivalries with Montana State, Eastern Washington and the rest of the Northwest teams within the Big Sky.
Yes, there will always be a battle to be the big man on the Palouse, it is just one Idaho football does not have much of a shot at.
The last time the Vandals beat their neighbors was 2001 and the last win against the Broncos came in 1998, older than most of the athletes on either squad.
That means Idaho football hasn’t beat either team in nearly 20 years, and I’m pretty sure you have to win games in order for there to be a rivalry.
Idaho fans — wake up and move on.
The return to the Big Sky has come with some ups and downs, but Idaho finally has found a home within a conference after traveling cross-country the Sun Belt Conference the last few years.
It is OK to say that Idaho, Washington State and Boise State are doing fine in their own college football bubbles.
Each team is trying to find their own success within their own level of play and the comparisons need to stop.
Whether it is the Big Sky, Mountain West, or the Pac-12 conference, let’s just enjoy what each program has to offer.
It is time to smell the roses and realize that Idaho is not the regional powerhouse it used to be.
On a brighter note, history can always repeat itself and maybe one day Idaho can find its way back to the top. Until then, it’s time to be realistic.
It is time to learn and let go, Idaho fans. Focus on the future of the Vandals within the Big Sky.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected]