BOISE -- There was a time when it was the biggest game of the season for both teams and every fan in the state. That has not been the case for the last decade, but this year both coaches are saying things could be different.
The biggest change comes from the Vandals who are off to their best start in 15 years and are bowl eligible for the first time in 10 years.
Both Bronco and Vandals fans are saying this rivals the way this game used to be.
Both coaches obviously want to win. Both have bowl games in their sites. One is zeroing in on busting the BCS, while the other has no qualms about saying it wants to ruin that dream.
"This is our rival game, and I'm excited about it," said Idaho head coach Robb Akey.
"I think it's one of those, real good healthy, intense rivalries," said Boise State head coach Chris Petersen.
Both Akey and Petersen have been a part of other big in-state rivalries. For Akey, it was Washington and Washington State. For Petersen, it was Oregon and Oregon State.
"Before I came over here, I was told by a lot of people, hey, I'm telling you that this thing is pretty intense and really from the fan standpoint that is where I think it gets up energy and steam," said Petersen.
"I think they are identical, and I think that Governor's Cup, the Apple Cup, they're both, they're the biggest game in the state. There's no in between. There's no either or, you're either a Vandal or a Bronco, there's no in between on that," said Akey.
Vandal Nation is out for Bronco blood this weekend, trying to spoil Boise State's chances of making it to another BCS bowl.
"If we get done, then that might make me the least popular coach in the WAC Conference, with the administrators throughout the conference, because that means, if we get this job done there won't be a BCS bowl coming to our conference, and that's something we would take great pride in," said Akey.
"I think that's the attitude that he would need to have. I think if the situation was reversed, we'd probably have the same one," said Petersen.
WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said he isn't offended by Akey's comment. He expects it.
"Every week that Boise State plays, there's one team that is trying to beat them, and there are seven other athletic directors that more than likely are going to be rooting for Boise State, and pulling for Boise State," said Bensen.
"Chris has done a fantastic job there, and they've got a good thing going, and I think it's going to be an exciting afternoon Saturday," said Akey.
"We've been extremely impressed with Idaho. Those guys play hard, they fight hard, they really compete and we're just looking for, we know it's going to be a good hard fought game," said Petersen.
Idaho would love to end the 10-game Bronco winning streak but Akey also knows that a shot at returning to the Humanitarian Bowl does not hinge on this game. At 7-3 the Vandals have plenty of "wiggle" room in their final two games to finish bowl eligible.
Stick with Channel Seven throughout the week leading up to the game. Our pre-game show starts at noon on Saturday. The Governor's Cup kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Then join us after the game with live post-game reaction.
