THE FRONT ROW with Mark Nelke, August 1, 2013

While Idaho's previous football coach, Robb Akey, could get people excited about a walk-through, the current Vandal coach, Paul Petrino, in his first year, displays more of a quiet confidence.

He thinks the Vandals will be very good by Year 3 - and perhaps sooner than that. And given his success as an assistant at stops like Arkansas, Louisville, and Illinois, it's hard not to believe him.

The schedule, especially given Idaho had to piece one together playing as an independent this year, is workable. Sure, there's a potential bodybag game at Florida State late in the season, and games at Mississippi and Washington State could be rough.

But other than that, the other games - at North Texas, Wyoming, Arkansas State and New Mexico State, and home games vs. Northern Illinois, Temple, Fresno State, Texas State and Old Dominion - are ones that if you go, "well, if the Vandals play to their potential ... "

OF COURSE, we've been through this optimism before.

But the reality is, one winning season since 1998. A memorable Humanitarian Bowl victory in 2009, but records of 6-7, 2-10 and 1-11 since.

That explains why the Vandals are on their fifth head coach in the last 11 seasons.

There are cries by some of the old die-hards for Idaho to return to the Big Sky Conference.

Idaho needs something good to happen in football, and soon - the buzz over the giant new video board will only last so long.

AS FOR something else to get excited about, we have the local tie with one former Coeur d'Alene High star battling for the No. 1 quarterback job, and another former Viking vying for playing time at wide receiver. Both are redshirt freshmen.

Chad Chalich emerged from spring ball as the No. 1 quarterback, to be challenged once fall camp starts Monday by incoming junior college transfer Joshua McCain.

And Deon Watson had a good game in the spring game. There's a number of older, more experienced receivers ahead of him, but you can never have enough depth at that position.

Chalich and Watson led the Vikings to back-to-back state 5A titles in 2010 and '11.

The ideal scenario, at least for the local fans, would be for Chalich to someday lead the Vandals back to their winning ways, with Watson among those playing a key role.

Having watched them in high school, I wouldn't put it past them in college.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at CdAPressSports.