The Stats poll link is a guess,.

Further evidence that the Davis run offense is sub-par, Abilene Christian ran over Utah Tech for 323 yards, 8.7 yards per carry. Davis averaged 2.9 yards per carry. And totalled 133 yards.

Not surprised that Idaho is still top 10. Rating algorithms that use points differentials and where the game was played will leave Idaho higher than Davis as Davis had home field advantage which is worth a couple of points.

In each FCS game this year Davis has had a lead going into the 4th quarter and have seen the opponent generate lots of yardage and cut into but not erase the lead.
The Davis play calling changes in the final quarter to where they are more interested in the time expiring than scoring or giving up points. TAMC, Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and Idaho all dramatically out-gained and outscored Davis in the final quarter. But Davis would have played differently if the score was different.

Twice.
2018 and 2021,

It is odd that in the first years of Davis’ transition to FCS they beat ranked FCS teams all the time,
Yet they never accomplished that in the Maier years,
In recent years they’ve beat ranked Idaho teams 3 times, and a ranked Sac State team, just from memory.
Beating a ranked FCS team is different situation from beating a 1-11 San Jose State team, because it means something to both teams, whereas the FBS vs FCS games have the feeling of exhibitions, and Davis has snuck up on some FBS teams because they don’t have their act together first game of the season.

I believe that was the first win by Plough as a Davis offensive coordinator or head coach over a ranked opponent.

. Several trick plays this year they haven’t lined up legally for.

The Davis defense has to play better than it has against the FCS teams, but they have a mitigating factor in that they were without key players. Now all the starters are expected to be back. My hope is the defense plays as they did against Cal where they held Cal to less than 3 yards a carry and less than 300 yards of offense.

What is the reason 5th year senior Markeece Alexander, #6, went from being a starter at cornerback who had a “breakout year” in 2023, to only playing a bit in the Cal game, if at all? Injury? Coaches decision?

A Monster of the Midway has to play in Chicago.

Idaho’s game notes are up.
https://govandals.com/documents/2024/9/26/Week_5_-_UCDavis.pdf

Wagner is listed in the depth chart, Layne not listed.
Interesting that they have a 260lb wide receiver.
Not a big team, particularly at linebacker.

If Rex plays, this will be the first game since the Cal game that Davis has all its first team defensive players available. Plus they have Antzoulatos who wasn’t available for the Cal game. Idaho reviews of the Davis defense foxus in the defensive line and the corners, but safeties and linebackers are arguably the best units on the team, but have been the areas missing starters. Most of the other injuries have been to reserve defensive linemen, hopefully we get some of them back. We didn’t get to see our defensive line freshmen last week, although the box score says 6’5” LB Kyle Hill got in the game.

Ask Idaho

Idaho coach Eck had comments about his team and UC Davis in first half of this show. He mentions the limited crowd noise at Davis.

https://skylinesportsmt.com/vandals-weekly-idaho-head-coach-jason-eck-rb-eli-cummings-on-uc-davis-big-sky-opener/

Focusing just on the Mountain West, as that seems more likely than the PacX.
What will the new Mountain West TV deal be, after the 4 or more top schools leave?
And for both the Big Sky and the new Mountain West, what will the quality of play be once the bigger budget conference schools hoard athletes by offering 105 scholarships?
The outcome of moving up may be fielding teams that have similar talent to what is fielded now, and teams that that don’t draw better, replacing Cal Poly with San Jose State, Montana with Wyoming etc.

Haven’t noticed anyone on offense being out, except Nava.
On defense Rex Connors and Jayden Stanley, who play the same position missed the last game.
Backups Amone, Carrillo, Carrade, and Cloyd missed the game.
Don’t know why Alexander isn’t playing, could be injured.
On the plus side linebackers previously injured or ineligible, Porter Connors, Cal transfer Antzoulatis, and Garretson played.

The biggest disappointment is the below average.running game.given that we have a All American running back.
Davis is averaging 3.3 yards per carry, 108 yards a game. Some.opponents that Davis did not establish a consistent ground game against have not been similarly stout against other teams. Davis gained 89 yards on 27 attempts against SUU. Idaho State gained 262 on 33 attempts against SUU. Two FCS teams each gained 339 yards against Utah Tech, Davis 133 at less than 3 yards per carry. The team has tried to be balanced but they can't do it consistently.Teams that don't run well have trouble scoring in the red zone.

Cody started out not throwing because he had QBs who had never played more than a few downs, It was almost the end of the first half sgainst Idaho in 2021 Spring that Rodrigues threw a pass. But in that first game they beat a ranked opponent on the road.

The guy who looks like the offensive genius is Cody Hawkins at Idaho State. Last hear they were a passing team, but this year they have a running game, gaining 262 yards and 7.9 yards per carry against Southern Utah.