What's down was up in college football

For one day anyway, Idaho State rules the state of Idaho in college football.

Who’da thunk it?

The ISU Bengals beating Idaho on Saturday shouldn’t be a surprise. The Bengals have experience at quarterback and receiver, have been putting up a lot of points already this season, leading to a confidence level that’s through the roof — even the roof at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

The ISU Bengals slaughtering the Vandals to the tune of 62-28 in Pocatello should be a bit of a surprise, however.

Not sure if Idaho, in dropping down this year after 22 seasons at the FBS level, thought it could drop down to FCS from the Sun Belt and just start whipping up on the fewer-scholarship teams in the Big Sky Conference.

So far, the Vandals have been drubbed twice in three outings in their “return” to the Big Sky.

Whitworth, you need a game?

Even that one would probably not be a gimmee for the black and gold — or white and black, these days. Or whatever colors they’re wearing on a particular Saturday.

MEANWHILE, A couple hundred miles to the West, Boise State is probably thankful that it picked Saturday to stink up the joint itself. The Broncos, expected to rule the Mountain West Conference, again stumbled in league, this time at home to San Diego State, 19-13. It’s the second time in three years Boise has lost at home to the Aztecs.

This loss came three weeks after Boise was thrashed at Oklahoma State in its “big boy” nonconference game. Of course Oklahoma State followed up that win by losing twice at home in the last three weeks, to Texas Tech and Iowa State.

Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if Boise State had to drop down to FCS as well? The Big Sky would be like the good ol’ days, with Idaho, Idaho State and Boise State in the same league.*

We’re kidding, of course. Unlike Idaho, Boise State would dominate the Big Sky if it came back. But considering the Broncos are built to dominate the Mountain West and challenge for a berth in a major bowl — or more — that’s no consolation.

HOW CRAZY was Saturday in the region?

Montana lost at home, 22-20, to Portland State — the same Portland State team that Idaho handled 20-7 the week before.

CONGRATS TO the Bengals for their statement win on Saturday.

I was fortunate enough to meet ISU quarterback Tanner Gueller, his wide receiver brother Mitch, and Bengals coach Rob Phenicie at the Big Sky media day in Spokane in July. I came away thinking all three were good people, and kinda hoping they would have some success this year.

*THE LAST time Idaho, ISU and BSU were in the same league was in 1995. Idaho and Boise State were part of a four-way tie for second with 4-3 records in the Big Sky. Montana won the conference at 6-1 and Idaho earned an at-large berth to the Division I-AA playoffs.

Idaho State was sixth in the eight-team league with a 3-4 record.

Eastern Washington, which now is one of the top teams in the Big Sky, was last with a 1-6 mark.

How times change.

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