Mike Kramer, his staff and players believe Idaho State has something special brewing in Holt Arena.
The Bengals are convinced their 8-4 record in 2014 — the first time the program won more than three games in a season since 2005 — wasn’t a fluke or blip on the radar. They think they can win a Big Sky championship this season.
They’re probably the only ones who do, though. Don’t expect the Bengals to garner a lot of respect from the media that covers the Big Sky Conference — not yet. The league will release its preseason media and coaches’ polls in a couple weeks at the Big Sky Kickoff in Park City, Utah. A season ago, the Bengals were picked to finish 12th by the coaches and 10th by the media.
They’re certain to land higher this season, but how high? Early signs indicate ISU will be favored to finish in the upper half of the league standings. Spokesman Review sports writer Jim Allen, who covers Eastern Washington, tweeted his preseason picks and had Idaho State slotted in at No. 6.
Tom Miller of the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota had ISU fifth. The Idaho State Journal’s preseason poll placed the Bengals fourth.
Sixth, fifth and fourth are a long way from No. 1, where ISU and its fans are convinced they belong. And they might. Idaho State has elite offensive talent with powerhouse running back Xavier Finney, talented receivers in Madison Mangum, Josh Cook, KW Williams and Broc Malcom and a sturdy offensive line with four returning starters.
Two-year starting quarterback Justin Arias, however, graduated. And the Bengals have a new offensive coordinator in Sheldon Cross. He’s unproven at the Division I level as a play caller — much like the Bengals’ defense, which was better in 2014 than it had been over the previous three seasons under Kramer’s tenure. But ISU still couldn’t get the stops it needed in key losses at Eastern Washington (a 56-53 final) and Montana State (44-39).
Those factors alone are enough for media pundits to knock Idaho State down a few notches in their polls. And let’s be honest, the Bengals are the Bengals. They’re never given the benefit of a doubt. That’s handed to the Eastern Washingtons and Montanas, not ISU.
The Bengals have to earn everything they get. You think Kramer wants it any other way?