The 2016 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Paul Petrino and played their home games at Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho. The Vandals were football-only members of the Sun Belt Conference, and finished the season at 9–4, with a 6–2 record in conference to tie for third place. They were invited to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, where they defeated Colorado State.