Don't panic, Vandal fans.  That tingling feeling; the pitter-patter of your heart; the exciting scenarios dancing in your head — those are byproducts of what doctors refer to as "excitement."

University of Idaho alumni may not be overly familiar with this term — an extended period of consistent losing and embarrassments have fostered this particular ignorance — but they're getting a Thanksgiving-size helping as of late. There's much to celebrate in Moscow this November, a month normally reserved for the winding down of a football fiasco and the commencement of a basketball disaster.

This year the Idaho football team is on the verge of securing its first bowl game in a decade. The Vandals' regular-season finale is Saturday in the Kibbie Dome against the much-improved Utah State Aggies.

Idaho has risen to the occasion time and time again this season, led by a great offense and experienced quarterback. Even if the Vandals don't end up with a bowl nod, they've done their followers proud.

This year fans also can get excited about a men's basketball team with designs on an NCAA Tournament berth. Last season there were some fun victories to cheer about, but now a deep frontcourt has been added to an already potent backcourt crew, making it difficult to view Idaho as an underdog anymore.

The Vandals' guards are even better than in 2008, but the real difference is that Idaho has four viable post players, rather than two, who rotate as fairly interchangeable pieces. In a recent road victory against feisty North Dakota State, 6-foot-9 shot-blocker Marvin Jefferson hauled down nine rebounds; 6-7 powerhouse Luiz Toledo, who didn't play last season, provided 18 points and eight boards; and 6-10 redshirt freshman Kyle Barone grabbed seven caroms in a very productive 12 minutes of work. 

Further, forward Brandon Wiley, a starter last year, didn't even play because of an injury.

Then Tuesday, in a victory at home versus Sacramento State, Toledo had 15 points and five rebounds; Jefferson tallied 12, five and three blocks; and Barone snatched five boards and rejected a shot in just 15 minutes.

If these guys do their part, Idaho's bigger guards won't be forced into unnatural roles. And with a bench featuring at least five guys who can contribute right away, the Vandals' ceiling is very high.

n The Idaho volleyball squad lost in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament this week, but fans should give a big round of applause to the Vandals for an excellent campaign and three First-Team All-WAC performers.

n Back to the gridiron, mammoth offensive guard Mike Iupati has been named one of three finalists for the prestigious Outland Trophy, which honors college football's best interior lineman.

This is a prodigious feat — it really is an honor just being nominated — for this talented young man, a defender-flattening machine whom some predict will be a first-round NFL draft pick.

Yes, there really is a cornucopia of good news on the Palouse this year. Give thanks.

Tough game? No problem

The Idaho football team should defeat Utah State on Saturday. The Vandals should gash the 3-8 Aggies for lots of rushing yards and pass the ball with precision as excellent starting quarterback

Nathan Enderle returns to the lineup. In turn, they should be able to take advantage of the Aggies' less-than-stellar offensive line.

They should and they will. This Vandal team knows what it takes to win the tough games. Look for Enderle to hook up with Komar for a couple touchdowns in a 45-35 victory.

I could really get used to this whole "excitement" thing.