Idaho looks to repeat 2024 upset as Abilene Christian slides

Idaho beat Abilene Christian 27-24 the last time these two met, back in September 2024, and Saturday's rematch finds both programs in a very different spot. This is a non-conference game with the United Athletic Conference's Abilene Christian visiting the Big Sky's Idaho, and neither team has found a win yet this season, each sitting at 0-3.

Abilene Christian still carries the heavier profile on paper, ranked No. 34 in FCS to Idaho's No. 56, with an A defense and a B+ grade overall. But the Wildcats have fallen hard to get there, sliding 18 spots in the Versus FCS rankings this season after a loss to Stephen F. Austin dropped them out of the FCS top 25. Their offensive rank of 34 is a clear soft spot against Idaho's 30th ranked offense, graded A- and the more productive side of this matchup.

Versus projects a tight one, Abilene Christian favored 27-26 with a win probability of 52 percent to Idaho's 48. Both teams carry solid strength of schedule marks, Abilene Christian 10th in FCS and Idaho 15th, so neither has been feasting on a weak slate to get to 0-3. With the history so close and the numbers closer still, this one looks like it could again come down to the final possession.