CSUN IS WELL AWARE OF ITS MISSION.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

Stature in the Big Sky usually means wins against Montana and Montana State. Not Idaho State, a dormant program lost in the valleys and vastness of the already frozen landscape.

Yet, this is the most important moment in the history of Cal State Northridge football.

Tonight's contest isn't only a game. It represents the vision CSUN administrators possessed when they opted not to disband the football program four years ago.

It is the dream of first-year coach Ron Ponciano. He promised CSUN's program would turn around quickly, but no one anticipated it could be at this mind-boggling speed.

There have been benchmark wins for the Matadors already and larger victories are sure to come.

However, none could shape the perception of CSUN's football program like this game can. If the 23rd-ranked Matadors beat the worst the Big Sky Conference offers, they will grab a share of the league title for the first time.

But the big stuff follows. A victory should also mean the first playoff berth in the 37-year history of the program, whether it's an automatic bid or an at-large berth into the 16-team Division I-AA field.

None of which seemed remotely possible a month ago when CSUN dropped its second straight game and fell out of first place. It is a season that has caught everyone, including the players, by surprise.

``It's tough to be at home, or be at practice, and not think, `Man, after this game we could be Big Sky champs and host a playoff game,' '' CSUN junior cornerback Chazz Moore said. ``I think everyone fantasized about it, but I think everyone here knows what we have to do, and that's not to underestimate Idaho State.''

If No. 17 Montana defeats No. 20 Montana State this afternoon, a Matadors win would secure an automatic playoff bid. If Montana State wins, it would grab the conference's automatic berth and CSUN would be forced to wait for Sunday's field to be announced to learn its fate. All three teams are 7-3 overall, 5-2 in the Big Sky

``We've been reassured by people that if we win, regardless of what else happens, we're going to be in,'' Ponciano said. ``We're approaching this game as a playoff game because we know as soon as we lose, it's over. It's win or stay home.''

Ponciano's certainty stems from two factors.

First, the Big Sky, which has a strong reputation, usually sends two teams to the postseason. Since 1986, the first year the field expanded to its current size, at least two Big Sky teams have participated.

Second, the Matadors are 15th among Division I-AA schools in the Sagarin ratings. And the NCAA relies heavily on those rankings.

The task seems simple enough, but Idaho State (2-8, 1-6) is so bad it's making the Matadors a bit uneasy.

Idaho State is averaging 18.9 points per game, a paltry number in the offense-oriented Big Sky. However, the more demeaning marker is the 38.6 points per game the Bengals yield. Their defense is ranked in the bottom 10 percent in every major statistical category in Division I-AA.

Just thinking about Idaho State's defense is enough to make CSUN quarterback Marcus Brady flash a smile, which is no easy feat. But a bugaboo exists. ``Since they're last in the conference, if we win, people will be like, `They were supposed to win,' '' said Brady, coming off a 466-yard, four-touchdown performance. ``If we lose, they'll be like, `Oh, I can't believe they lost to them.' We can't drop off and lose this game or they'll notice we can't finish the season, or what we're doing.''

And forevermore, the debacle at Pocatello will fall into Matadors lore.

NO. 23 CS NORTHRIDGE (7-3, 5-2) vs. IDAHO STATE (2-8, 1-6)

Kickoff: 5:35 p.m., at Holt Arena (12,000).

Radio: KCSN-FM (88.5)

Injury update: For CSUN, DL Sean Beard (leg), DL Jacob Mageo (ankle), DL Quinton Reed (shoulder), PK Manny Marquez (quadricep) are out. WR Anthony Ramos (leg) is probable. For Idaho State, SS Jason Trotter (hamstring) is probable.

Keep an eye on: The scoreboard. Much is riding on the Montana State at Montana game. If MSU wins, it gets the Big Sky's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. If Montana wins and CSUN wins, the Matadors get the automatic berth. . . . CSUN's receivers. QB Marcus Brady is coming off a career-best 466 yards and four touchdowns at Southwest Missouri State and gets to face a defense that's yielded 30 or more points in each of its past eight games. Aaron Arnold has 10 touchdown catches. . . . P/PK Ethan Beck. The sophomore has a big-time leg but has yet to attempt a field goal. He may get a chance with Marquez back in Southern California nursing a sore leg for the third straight game. . . . FS Jeremy Golden. He'll be key to stopping Idaho State's running game. Despite missing a game for disciplinary reasons, he leads the team with 88 tackles.

Idaho State update: Emotions will swing, but after being outscored 142-61 in the past three games it's easy to see the Bengals have packed it in. Eighteen seniors are playing their last game for the Bengals, and unpopular Tom Walsh is coaching his last game at ISU. He, along with athletic director Irv Cross, resigned under pressure, effective at the end of their contracts. The Bengals defense is abysmal. Of 119 Division I-AA teams, the Bengals are 116th against the rush, 117th in passing defense, 118th in total defense and 115th in points allowed. QBs Seth Burford and Kevin McCarthy rotate in a low-production offense. They've combined for six touchdowns and eight interceptions. RBs Craig Joseph (432 yards) and Kennedy Nkeyasen (608 yards) share time in the backfield.

- Brian Dohn

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BOX: NO. 23 CS NORTHRIDGE (7-3, 5-2) vs. IDAHO STATE (2-8, 1-6) (see text)