The Idaho Vandals are atop the WAC standings.

And they’d like to stay there.

Idaho defeated New Mexico State last week and visits league newcomer Texas State on Saturday. The Bobcats, who are making the transition from the FCS, are playing their first league game under former TCU and Alabama coach Dennis Franchione.

“There’s so much more that we can do well,” Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “We’re going to finish things better. You’re going to continue to have the ability to grow and build.”

IDAHO’S STRENGTHSSO FAR THIS SEASON

• Offensive line is tough: After the New Mexico State game, Akey praised his “fat five.’’

Quarterback Dominique Blackman attempted 48 passes and was not sacked. The line, which also kept him safe against LSU, gave Blackman the time he needed to go through his progressions and find the open man.

• Blackman can throw the deep ball: While there were a few throws that got away from him, Blackman displayed pinpoint accuracy on a handful of deep throws. If he is able to make passes like those consistently, it could open up the offense.

• Kicker Trey Farquhar: The senior is 10-of-11 after six games, and made all four attempts against New Mexico State, including two from beyond 50.

WEAKNESSES

• Ground game needs help: With the exception of the Wyoming game, the Vandals have struggled to get anything going. Against New Mexico State, they rushed for 82 yards on 28 carries — 2.93 yards per attempt. Ryan Bass led the team with 45 yards.

• QuayShawne Buckley is a liability: After Idaho came up with a huge fourth-down stop late against New Mexico State, the junior defensive lineman committed his third personal foul of the day, giving the Aggies a new set of downs and nearly costing the Vandals the game.

Buckley was benched after the third penalty.

“We’ve got to terminate those,” Akey said. “We don’t need to create our own adversity and that happened three times with penalties there. That is unacceptable and we need to get that taken care of.”

• Idaho has trouble finishing: Finish — that was Akey’s message at the start of the season. While Idaho finally did finish a game, it wasn’t pretty. Sitting on a 16-point lead with four minutes left against New Mexico State, the defense became complacent and lackadaisical, allowing the Aggies to score a touchdown and two-point conversion. Fortunately for Idaho, it recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.