Cal Poly hosts Idaho on ESPN Friday in historic Week 0 opener
Idaho and Cal Poly meet Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, on ESPN at Mustang Memorial Field — a Week 0 FCS opener and the first nationally televised home game in Mustangs history, with the John Madden Football Center debuting and Madden's No. 74 jersey retired at halftime.
Key Takeaways
- Week 0 ESPN matchup: Idaho at Cal Poly, Friday, Aug. 28, kickoff 7:05 p.m. PT (10:00 p.m. ET).
- First-year head coach Tim Skipper makes his Cal Poly sideline debut; the Mustangs also open Big Sky Conference play.
- Cal Poly has lost all five previous FCS meetings with Idaho, most recently 34-29 on Oct. 19, 2024.
- Idaho is a 5.5-point favorite; College Sports Wire projects a 27-20 Vandals win.
- Watch on ESPN, the ESPN App, or streaming services such as Fubo.
Why is Idaho vs Cal Poly on ESPN for Week 0?
While much of the country waits until Saturday for FBS Week 0, Division I's FCS subdivision opens Friday night with several games — including this Idaho vs Cal Poly clash on national TV. Cal Poly Athletics notes it is the program's first nationally televised home game at Mustang Memorial Field, giving a Big Sky conference opener rare primetime exposure on ESPN.
Both programs finished 4-8 in 2025. Idaho missed the FCS playoffs for the first time in three years after coach Jason Eck departed for New Mexico. Cal Poly fired Paul Wulff and hired Tim Skipper, who served as interim head coach at Fresno State in 2024 and at UCLA in 2025.
What makes this Cal Poly opener historically unusual?
The night is stacked with symbolism for a school tied to one of football's greatest legends. The new John Madden Football Center hosts its first gameday audience, and Cal Poly will retire Madden's No. 74 at halftime — only the second number retired in program history after linebacker Osbaldo Orozco's No. 45.
Madden played offensive and defensive line for Cal Poly in 1957 and 1958, earned All-CCAA honors, graduated in 1959, and later built a Hall of Fame coaching career. Skipper brings 25 years of coaching experience, arriving after interim stints that included UCLA wins over Penn State, Michigan State, and Maryland.
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Who is favored in Idaho vs Cal Poly?
Per College Sports Wire, BetMGM lists Idaho as a 5.5-point favorite (-200 moneyline) with an over-under of 53.5. The outlet projects Idaho 27, Cal Poly 20.
Idaho returns veteran quarterback Joshua Wood and an experienced offensive line as it looks to rebound under new coordinators. Cal Poly returns First Team All-Big Sky defenders Mikey D'Amato and Kenny Olson but has not named a starting quarterback. Big Sky preseason polls placed Idaho sixth and Cal Poly ninth.
How can you watch Idaho vs Cal Poly?
Kickoff is Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. PT (10:00 p.m. ET) at Mustang Memorial Field in San Luis Obispo. The game airs on ESPN and streams via the ESPN App; live-TV streaming options such as Fubo also carry the broadcast, per Yahoo Sports.
Cal Poly enters after a season-ending 43-34 win over Eastern Washington, when quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns in his first start. Idaho closed 2025 with a 37-16 loss to Idaho State but saw sophomore quarterback Sawyer Teeney throw his first career touchdown pass in that finale.