Preview: Washington State Opens New Era Rekindling ‘Battle of the Palouse’ vs. Idaho
Washington State quarterback Zevi Eckhaus prepares to take a snap during the Holiday Bowl vs. Syracuse. Credit: Zevi Eckhaus/Instagram
The 2025 college football season is upon us, and with it, the renewal of a storied Pacific Northwest rivalry. The Washington State Cougars are set to host the Idaho Vandals in the latest edition of the "Battle of the Palouse" on Saturday, a game that feels like a new beginning for both programs.
For the Cougars, this isn't just a season opener—it's the official start of the Jimmy Rogers era. Rogers takes the helm after a highly successful stint at South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to an FCS national championship, replacing Jake Dickert, who departed to take the Wake Forest job.
The Washington State roster has undergone a major facelift since last season, with 75 new players joining the team. This includes several key transfers from Rogers' former program who will be expected to make an immediate impact, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, which struggled much of the time last year in Dickert’s final season.
On offense, the big question mark for the Cougars lies at quarterback, where a competition has been ongoing to replace last season's starter. Zevi Eckhaus, who started in the Holiday Bowl last January, appears to be the front runner to win the job, but Rogers has been non-committal on a starter to this point. Whoever takes the first snap will have a lot of new faces around them, with only three returning starters on the offensive side of the ball and a ton of new faces who will have to mesh quickly.
Across the border, the Idaho Vandals are also embracing a new beginning under head coach Thomas Ford Jr. The Vandals are coming off a strong 2024 season that saw them go 10-4 and make another FCS playoff appearance. Despite losing their previous head coach and several key players to transfers, the Vandals are not backing down. They are a tough, physical team, ranked in the preseason FCS Top 25, and have a track record of pulling off upsets against FBS opponents.
The Vandals’ game plan will likely center on a strong running game, led by returning running backs, and a tough defense. While they also have a new quarterback in transfer Joshua Wood, he's a player the new coaching staff knows well and believes in, which will give them a shot to hang tough with the Cougars.
The "Battle of the Palouse" has a long history, with WSU dominating the series. However, the Vandals have shown in recent years that they are not to be taken lightly. The last time these teams met, in 2022, it was a surprisingly close contest. This Saturday's matchup will be a fascinating test of new systems and new players.
For WSU, it's a chance to start the season strong and build confidence under Rogers’ leadership while establishing a foundation for present and future success. For Idaho, it's an opportunity to prove they belong on the same field as their FBS rivals and to make a statement to the rest of the FCS.
