Uncertain times for University of Idaho

Harry · July 18, 2012

MOSCOW, Idaho -- In a little more than a month and a half, the Idaho football team will emerge from the smoke on the east side of the Kibbie Dome and excitedly make its way to the north sideline.

The Eagles of Eastern Washington will stand and watch as the Vandals go through a pregame ritual that effectively wraps up a summer of uneasiness and uncertainty.

There will be a new quarterback under center, a new offensive coordinator calling the plays and a renewed sense of optimism that comes with each fall’s first kickoff.

Presumably by that time, Idaho will also know its fate as the Western Athletic Conference heads into what could be its final football season following a series of departures that will leave the conference with only two football-playing members following the 2012 campaign.

It’s a fate that, at the moment, remains elusive - even to UI President Duane Nellis.

"I think it’s getting harder and harder for the WAC to put together any short-term FBS solution for football and so we may be faced with a situation," Nellis said while sitting at the end of a long table in his office off of Campus Drive. "We’re still looking at all options, but one of the options is possibly going independent as a (Football Bowl Subdivision) school after this coming football season for a year or two just to see what the landscape leads to."

In theory, going independent would allow Idaho to tread water in the FBS until a potential landing spot opens in a conference.

Despite being rebuffed by the Mountain West this spring, the Vandals are still holding out hope that the conference shuffle will break in their favor.

The Mountain West remains a candidate for relocation, as does Conference USA.

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