Nine miles. That’s it. That is the distance separating the University of Idaho and Washington State University. Most people drive longer than that to get to a decent grocery store, but on the Palouse, those nine miles of rolling wheat fields represent one of the weirdest, most lopsided, yet stubbornly persistent grudges in college football.
They call it the Battle of the Palouse.
If you aren't from the Inland Northwest, you might think Idaho Vandals football vs Washington State Cougars football is just another FBS-versus-FCS paycheck game. You know the type. The big school pays the small school a few hundred thousand dollars to come get beat up for three hours so the season ticket holders can see some touchdowns before the real schedule starts.
But this is different. It's personal.
The Game That Refuses to Die
The first time these two teams met was 1894. To put that in perspective, Utah wasn't even a state yet. Washington State won that game 10-0, and they’ve been winning most of them ever since. Honestly, if you look at the record—which stands at something like 74-17-3 in favor of Wazzu—it doesn't look like much of a rivalry on paper.
Yet, the vibe in Pullman or Moscow during game week is electric. Or at least, it’s tense.
🔗 Read more: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
Take the 2025 season opener. People expected the Cougars to steamroll. Instead, we got a 13-10 defensive slog that nearly ended in a heart attack for the Pullman faithful. Jack Stevens had to nail a 32-yard field goal with three seconds left just to keep the streak alive. It was ugly. It was gritty. It was exactly what this rivalry is.
Why does WSU keep playing Idaho?
It’s a fair question. From a modern "strength of schedule" perspective, playing an FCS team like Idaho doesn't do much for a Washington State program trying to navigate the wreckage of the Pac-12. But the logistics are just too perfect.
- No travel costs: The Vandals just hop on a bus. They don't even need a hotel.
- Ticket sales: Fans from both sides actually show up. You don't get that when you bring in a random school from the East Coast.
- Recruiting: Every kid in the region grows up watching this.
A History of Fire and Walking
There is a legend—well, a fact, actually—that in 1954, about 2,000 WSU students actually walked the eight miles from Pullman to Moscow. Why? Because the Cougars lost. It was a "loser's walk" of shame. They had to go to the Idaho campus and serenade the Vandals.
Can you imagine that today? Probably not.
Then there’s the arson. In 1969 and 1970, both schools' wooden stadiums burned down within months of each other. People still whisper about whether the fires were connected. It led to the "Displaced Bowl" in Spokane. Basically, these two programs have been trauma-bonded by fire and proximity for over a century.
💡 You might also like: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
What Really Happened in the 2025 Matchup
Let’s get into the weeds of the most recent clash. The Idaho Vandals football vs Washington State Cougars football game on August 30, 2025, was supposed to be the grand unveiling of the Jimmy Rogers era in Pullman.
Instead, it was a nightmare for offensive coordinators.
Idaho’s Joshua Wood was the best player on the field for long stretches, racking up 101 rushing yards and keeping the chains moving. The Vandals' defense, coached by Thomas Ford Jr., looked like they belonged in the Power Four. They held WSU to a measly 3 rushing yards. Yes, you read that right. Three.
Wazzu’s Jaxon Potter saved the day by dinking and dunking his way to 208 passing yards, but the Cougs looked shaky. It was a reminder that in a rivalry game, the gap between FBS and FCS can vanish if one team plays with a chip on their shoulder. And Idaho always has a chip.
Key Stats from the 2025 Battle:
- Attendance: 28,243 (Gesa Field was rocking).
- Turnovers: Idaho gave it away twice, which ultimately killed their upset bid.
- Time of Possession: Idaho held the ball for over 35 minutes. They out-muscled the "big boys" up front.
The Reality of the Gap
We have to be real here: the programs are on different trajectories. Washington State is fighting for its life in the national conversation, trying to prove they still belong at the top table. Idaho is arguably a top-10 FCS program, finally finding stability after years of bouncing between conferences and subdivisions.
📖 Related: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
There was a time, between 1998 and 2007, when they played every single year. Then Idaho dropped down to the Big Sky, and the gap widened.
The Cougars have won 11 straight in the series. The last time Idaho won was 2000, a 38-34 thriller in Pullman. If you were a freshman in college during that win, you're probably looking at 40 in the rearview mirror now. That’s a long time to wait for bragging rights.
Why You Should Care About the Next One
The schedule is already set. They’ll play again in 2027 and 2029.
If you’re a bettor, you’re looking at the spread. But if you’re a fan of the sport, you’re looking at the soul of the game. This isn't about NIL deals or TV markets. It’s about two towns in the middle of nowhere that happen to have two major universities and a whole lot of history.
Most people get it wrong—they think the "Battle of the Palouse" is dead because the conferences don't match up. They’re wrong. As long as those nine miles of road exist, this game will matter.
Your Next Steps for Following the Rivalry
If you want to keep tabs on this, don't just check the ESPN box scores. Those don't tell the story.
- Watch the Trenches: In 2025, Idaho’s offensive line actually outplayed WSU’s defensive front. Keep an eye on the Vandals' recruiting in the Northwest; they are poaching kids who used to be WSU walk-ons.
- Follow the Coaches: Thomas Ford Jr. at Idaho is a name you’ll hear for bigger jobs soon. His ability to scheme against "superior" talent is legit.
- Check the Schedule: Set your alerts for September 4, 2027. That’s the next time the Vandals cross the border.
- Visit the Palouse: If you've never been to a game at Martin Stadium or seen the Kibbie Dome in person, you're missing the most unique landscape in college sports.
The rivalry is alive, even if it's currently a one-sided affair on the scoreboard. But as we saw in 2025, the margin for error for the Cougars is getting smaller every year.