This time last year, rookie head coach Robb Akey was initiated into big-time football. His youthful and inexperienced Idaho team gutted out an impressive debut in front of 91,000 fans in the L.A. Coliseum. The No. 1-ranked USC Trojans eventually subdued the pesky Vandals 38-10.

Optimism soared among Vandal fans. But those positive feelings were subdued by a 1-11 season, that included a winless mark against Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I) teams.

But the optimism is back. The turmoil and unrest of the coaching carousel finally departed Moscow this offseason and the second-year coach sees this team moving in the right direction.

Tonight's 2008 season opener against another PAC-10 opponent, Arizona, has Akey anxious to test his squad.

"I'm excited about this game and finding out where we're at as a football team," said Akey. "This will be a good test for us. They're a good team. They've got the top quarterback returning in the PAC-10."

Arizona's senior QB Willie Tuitama had a stellar 2007 season, throwing for 3,683 yards and 28 touchdowns. His favorite target is receiver Mike Thomas, who totaled 83 receptions, 1,038 yards and 11 TDs in 2007. The shotgun spread the Wildcats run is similar to the Texas Tech system. The youthful and untested Vandal defensive will be challenged early, but may benefit from practice against the spread schemes Idaho's offensive coordinator Steve Axman has installed this fall.

Said Akey: "(Arizona) has the best receiving corps in the country and they've got an offensive line back - ten starters back with a lot of games under their belt on that side of the ball."

Arizona's starting tight end, Rob Gronkowski, will miss tonight's game due to a strep throat infection. But receivers Delashaun Dean, Terrell Turner and Terrell Reese are seasoned and could give the Idaho secondary fits.

Arizona head coach Mike Stoops enters his fifth season at the helm, but is a lackluster 17-29 overall. Wildcat fans haven't seen a winning season under Stoops and they expect one this season. Last year Arizona was 5-7, finishing in sixth place in the PAC-10 at 4-5.

Like the Wildcats, Idaho has its strength anchored in 10 returning offensive starters. This asset, along with an experienced special teams unit, may give Idaho hope at making things interesting at 57,400-seat Arizona Stadium.

The Vandals are a 27-point underdog, but that does not damper the senior veterans of the offensive line used to playing in the largest of NCAA venues. Team captain Adam Korby will be starting his 36th consecutive game at center.

"Of course we will be ready. Everybody, in our minds, we know will be hard, but we have prepared and we're going to put up a nice little show," said Korby. "We've taken the right steps and we've gotten better."

Offensive tackle Kris Anderson says the key tonight is ball control. He believes Idaho can keep the ball from the Wildcats' prolific spread attack.

"That's our goal," said Anderson. "We as an O-line, and an offense in general, enjoy running the ball and that tends to keep the other team off the field."

Notes: Akey's travel squad tonight will have 12 true freshmen from a talented recruiting class signed last spring. â€- Idaho is one month short of a two-year drought without a FBS win. â€- Idaho has signed a new uniform contract with Nike and the road Vandals will be clad in gold pants, white jerseys with gold trim, black numbers and "Idaho" written on front and player's names on back. The helmet is a deeper gold with large black "I," crossed with the scripted Vandals. Jersey colors are reversed for the home apparel. "With the players we now have here, Nike stuff is the best. It's a very, very positive deal," said Akey. "I like the look a lot." â€- Starting offensive linemen Mike Iupati (shoulder) and Matt Cleveland (ankle) are out for tonight's game. â€- Arizona's lead the series against Idaho 9-2, including a 36-29 win in the team's last meeting back in 2001. â€- Idaho is home next week against in-state rival Idaho State.