The Idaho State football team and I-15 will get to know each other well over the next few weeks — and become reacquainted again in 2014.

    The Bengals’ next four road games are all in the state of Utah, beginning today with a contest in Cedar City.

    ISU takes on Southern Utah this afternoon, faces BYU Nov. 16 and Weber State Nov. 2.

    “We have lots of great bus trips,” said Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer. “We travel in three busses, and the big-heavies go on the first bus. It’s cool for us because the cost of who we’re playing isn’t very much, which is great.

    “The guys have the opportunity to play all the way down in Cedar City, and then play a little closer to home the last two ball games.”

    And if that wasn’t enough, the Bengals open their 2014 season in Salt Lake City Aug. 28 against the Utah Utes.

    When asked if today’s matchup marks the beginning of a four-game winning streak against the Beehive state, Kramer chortled.

    “There’s great football in the state of Utah, especially at the collegiate level,” he said.

    Southern Utah enters the contest with a 5-3 record and is 2-3 in Big Sky play. Junior offensive lineman Jim Bagley says the Thunderbirds will provide a stiff challenge for Idaho State.

    “They’re big up front,” he said. “They’re pretty young, but they have several large guys up front. We have to focus on the down game. If we block them, we get the running game going. If we keep them away from the quarterback, we throw the ball.”

    The size up front gives SUU the ability to let its defensive backs do their job against ISU’s passing attack.

    “They’re going to play pretty conservative: Rush four and drop the rest,” said redshirt junior quarterback Justin Arias. “We have to execute and take what they give us.”

    Idaho State and Southern Utah kick off at 1 p.m.