Coach Tom Cable is in the last year of his contract and it's no secret he probably won't be retained if the Vandals fail to significantly boost their win total from one in 2001 and two in 2002.

How's the stress level, coach?

‘‘The first thing you have to know is I have a great family and a great coaching staff and a great bunch of kids to coach,'' Cable said. ‘‘I just know to go do the best I can and good comes from that. I think this program is poised to get back on its feet.

‘‘Unfortunately, we've been through some tough times, but there are a lot of things right in this program. A lot of that other stuff doesn't matter to some people -- it's all about winning and losing -- and I'm OK with that. We have the right group of people here in terms of players and coaches. Our fate is in our hands, so let's see what we can do.''

While some may see a pink slip in Cable's future, he sees something else -- a championship ring.

‘‘I picked us,'' Cable said of his vote in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll. ‘‘I believe in this team. I really thought we'd win last year. We won two games and lost a bunch of close games. We need to get over the hump and win those games and I think we can do it.''

But what will it take to go from thinking to doing? A lot of things, admittedly, must go right, starting with Cable's selection of sophomore Michael Harrington over the proven Brian Lindgren as the starting quarterback.

‘‘We needed to get that resolved and move forward as a team and now they know who will be in the huddle,'' Cable said. The Vandals again face a grueling non-conference schedule, including Washington State, Eastern Washington, Boise State, Washington and Montana. Can Idaho survive physically and earn a couple of wins to build confidence for the Sun Belt season?

‘‘It (the schedule) can be very deflating,'' Cable acknowledged. ‘‘That's what's happened the last two years. Two years ago we had a number of injuries. Last year it wasn't the injuries as much as an injured psyche. ‘‘But we've been through it so I think we're prepared for it. It's how we handle it and we have to get some success out of it.''

The defense, abysmal two years ago and marginally better last season, needs to make another considerable jump.

That begins with tackles Brian Howard and Kelly Talavou and end Brandon Kania generating pressure up front. The starting linebackers, likely Patrick Libey, last year's second-leading tackler with 69, Chad Kodama and Mike Anderson, appear solid. Rod Bryant is an established corner and seniors Darryl Murphy and Robert Ortega are the probable starters at safety.

‘‘Everyone has us ranked real low but we're going to shock a lot of people,'' Bryant said. ‘‘We have a lot of seniors, we've all played together. The front seven is getting pressure and handling the run and we're taking care of the pass.''

Added Cable: ‘‘I'm very excited about where our defense is going and I have high desires about what I want us to be, but, you know, show me.''

The offense has to develop a dependable ground game and coax some big plays from the receivers.

Tight ends Luke Smith-Anderson and Mike McCoy give Idaho two quality options. UI tight ends caught only 21 passes last season. Cable hopes that number triples.

Returning receivers Orlando Winston (50 catches, 624 yards last season), Jeff Stowe (30-363) and Cedric Thompson (4-50) are joined by JC transfers Bobby Bernal-Wood and Matt Miller.

‘‘Two issues: One, as a play-caller we have to attack the field more, and two, we have to make those plays when we do that,'' Cable said. ‘‘We're very capable.''

Special teams must become a cornerstone rather than a concern. Kicker Brian Pope is holding off Sam Parry and Michael Barrow. Bryant has an edge as the return specialist over Thompson, who made big returns and, at times, big mistakes last year. Punter Ryan Downes' punting average has jumped from 35.9 to 39.2 to 41.2 the last three years.

‘‘Our special teams have a chance to be really good and we need them to be an edge,'' Cable said.

On the sidelines

Assistants: Bret Ingalls, offensive coordinator; Ed Lamb, defensive coordinator; Gary Coston, special teams coordinator; Chris Bishop, special teams assistant; Rich Fisher, linebackers; Greg Jackson, secondary; Spence Nowinsky, defensive line; Rich Scangarello, quarterbacks; Tarn Sublett, wide receivers; Jon Francis, strength and conditioning; Jason Hines, graduate assistant defense; Chris Miller, graduate assistant offense.

In the stands

Stadium: Kibbie Dome (16,000).

How to get there: From south on Highway 95, turn left on Sweet Ave., then right on Perimeter Drive and follow it to stadium. From the north on Highway 95, turn right on 6th, then left on Perimeter and follow to stadium.

Season tickets: Adult reserved, $99; High school and under reserved, $80.

Three-game pack: $50 (includes Boise State and two games of your choice).

Individual game tickets: WSU, $20-$40; EWU and North Texas, $20; Boise State, $30; Middle Tennessee and Utah State, $17.

Info: 1-88-88-UIDAHO or (208) 885-6466 or UIathletics.com.

On the air

Bob Curtis will again handle the play-by-play chores, with Tom Morris adding color commentary. The Vandals radio network includes KHTR 104.3-FM Moscow-Pullman; KTIK 1350-AM Boise; KBFI 1450-AM Bonners Ferry; KSPT 1400-AM Sandpoint; KVNI 1080-AM Coeur d'Alene; KTRW 970-AM Spokane; KWAL 620-AM Silver Valley; KLER 1300-AM Orofino; KRLC 1350-AM Lewiston; KORT 1230-AM Grangeville; KDZY 98.3-FM McCall.