Fresno State has never been considered a national title contender per se. The Bulldogs peaked at No. 8 in the national rankings in 2001 and were on the verge of making the Bowl Championship Series. However, consecutive losses to Boise State and at Hawaii ended any chance at a major bowl berth. Despite limited success against tough non-conference slates the last two seasons, the Bulldogs continue to plug away.
Coach Pat Hill has stated on numerous occasions the goals remain the same, national title, BCS, WAC title, and bowl berth, in that particular order. Some say Coach Hill overlooks the WAC. Nevertheless, as he has said in the past, if you make it to the national title game/BCS, the WAC title and bowl berth are earned in the process.
The Bulldogs quest for greatness is headlined by road games at Oregon and No. 25 Texas A&M in early September. Kansas State makes a rare trip to Fresno in late November. Moreover, two WAC schools are ranked in the preseason top 25. No. 24 Boise State visits the Valley October 26, and FS visits No. 23 Hawaii November 10.
GAME 1
September 1 vs. Sacramento State at Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
Can it get any easier? The Hornets are breaking in a new coach, new offense, new quarterback, new running back, and lose their four top receivers. Well, at least the Sac State defense will be formidable.
Prediction : The Bulldog defense dominates; FS wins easily.
GAME 2
September 8 vs. Texas A&M at Kyle Field (College Station, TX)
The Aggies boast a mobile quarterback and a running back bigger than 3/4ths of the Bulldogs’ defensive line. QB Stephan McGee will be tough to stop and RB Javorskie Lane is a monster near the goal line. Ironically, FS still may have the overall speed advantage.
Prediction : The environment will be too tough for the youngsters to overcome. The Bulldogs will play hard, but it will not be enough to guarantee a victory.
GAME 3
September 15 vs. Oregon at Autzen Stadium (Eugene, OR)
Oregon has had the Bulldogs number the last two decades. The last two games in Eugene have been nail bitters. Despite the Bulldogs youth, the game should be close once again. The last two times Coach Hill has brought in a young team off a tough road game into Eugene, the ‘Dogs have played well enough to win, 43-40 OT loss in 1997 and 28-24 loss in 2002.
Prediction : On paper, Oregon should run away with this game. But the Bulldogs will welcome back DT Jason Shirley and the young team will be seasoned from their trip to A&M.
GAME 4
September 29 vs. Louisiana Tech at Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
Win, lose, or draw in the two road games, the ‘Dogs should be able to take care of the Bayou Bulldogs. LA Tech has a veteran defense, which could keep the game close. But FS’s defense should be running on all cylinders by late September, while new LA Tech Head Coach Derek Dooley’s offense will still be reeling from back-to-back games against Hawaii and at California.
Prediction: If the Bulldog offense comes to play it will be a blowout, otherwise, the defense should be able to put this game away in the second half.
GAME 5
October 5 vs. Nevada at Mackay Stadium (Reno, NV)
New quarterback, same pistol offense, and the Wolf Pack are semi-tough at home. Weather will not be a factor like two-years ago, but Nevada will probably be considered the favorite this time around. If the Bulldogs want to get back to a bowl game, they cannot lose this game. The loser is likely out of the WAC race, regardless.
Prediction : The ‘Dogs need a statement game, and get one Reno.
GAME 6
October 13 vs. Idaho at Kibbie Dome (Moscow, ID)
This will be the fourth road game in six games. The Bulldogs will be tired and playing on the unforgiving field of the Kibbie Dome does not help. This is a trap game of sorts. The Bulldogs follow up the road trip with three homes including rivals San Jose State and Boise State.
Prediction : ‘Dog tend to play down and to lose a WAC school they should not, this could be it.
GAME 7
October 20 vs. San Jose State at Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
The Spartans finally beat the Bulldogs last season, and they will try to do it again, this time in Fresno. FS will be anxious to get back home and could secure a winning season with a sweep of its three straight home games. SJSU, on the other hand, might need the win to avoid a non-winning season.
Prediction : The Spartans have their best shot to win at Bulldog Stadium since their 24-21 loss in 1998.
GAME 8
October 26 vs. Boise State at Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
BSU could be on a record 20-game winning streak and ranked near the top 10 in the nation. Alternatively, the Broncos could be suffering a subpar year and enter Bulldog Stadium with a couple of losses. Regardless, BSU will likely be favored, and FS will be pumped for the biggest home game of the year.
Prediction : Coach Hill might require fans to wear black for every home game from this day on.
GAME 9
November 3 vs. Utah State at Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
Revenge and Utah State do not go hand-in-hand in most WAC schools’ minds. Then again, no other WAC school lost to Utah State last season.
Prediction : Fans will have much too cheer about this time around.
GAME 10
November 10 vs. Hawaii at Aloha Stadium (Honolulu, HI)
FS would like to continue the revenge factor into this week. Conversely, the Warriors are not the Aggies. It is bad enough the ‘Dogs have trouble on the Island against bad Hawaii teams. The Warriors will likely be unbeaten and ranked near the top 10 with a BCS bowl berth on the line.
Prediction : It is the one offense the Bulldog defense will have trouble with.
GAME 11
November 24 vs. Kansas State at Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
The Bulldogs will welcome the bye week prior to K-State’s arrival in the Valley. The Wildcats’ season ends in Fresno and they could enter as Big 12 North Champs. FS has not hosted a Big 12 school since 1997 when it lost to Baylor 37-35.
Prediction : This will be game of who wants it more. FS relishes these types of games.
GAME 12
November 30 vs. New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium (Las Cruces, NM)
There is a good reason many are picking NMSU to earn a bowl berth in 2007. Win or lose against K-State, the ‘Dogs could find out the hard way not to take the Aggies seriously.
Prediction : The New Mexico Bowl could be on the line, but FS could care less with an at-large Poinsettia Bowl berth already locked up.
WAC Predicted Order of Finish
1. Boise State 10-2 (7-1)
2. Hawaii 10-2 (6-2)
2. Fresno State 7-5 (6-2)
3. NMSU 8-5 (5-3)
3. SJSU 6-6 (5-3)
6. Nevada 6-6 (4-4)
7. Idaho 3-9 (2-6)
8. Utah State 1-11 (1-7)
9. LA Tech 1-11 (0-8)
Bowl Berths : BSU – Humanitarian Bowl, Hawaii – Hawaii Bowl, NMSU – New Mexico Bowl, FS – at large (Poinsettia Bowl)
WAC Offensive Player of the Year : Colt Brennan, Hawaii
WAC Defensive Player of the Year : Dwight Lowery, SJSU
WAC Newcomer of the Year : Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
WAC Coach of the Year : Hal Mumme, NMSU
NATIONAL PICKS
ACC : Florida State
Big East : Rutgers
Big Ten : Michigan
Big XII : Texas
Pac-10 : USC
SEC : Florida
BCS at large selections : Penn State, LSU, Oklahoma, West Virginia
MWC : BYU
Con. USA : Southern Miss
MAC : Western Michigan
Sun Belt : Troy
Surprise Teams : Penn State, Arizona State, South Florida, Alabama, BYU, and Oregon
BCS National Title Game : USC (winner) vs. Michigan
Orange Bowl : Florida State vs. Rutgers
Rose Bowl : Penn State vs. LSU
Fiesta Bowl : Texas vs. West Virginia
Sugar Bowl : Florida vs. Oklahoma
Heisman : Mike Hart, Michigan (as long as he stays healthy)
My GRANTLAND RICE SUPER 16 POLL (PRESEASON) BALLOT
1. Southern Cal
2. Michigan
3. LSU
4. Florida
5. Penn State
6. Texas
7. Virginia Tech
8. Oklahoma
9. Wisconsin
10. Florida State
11. Rutgers
12. Louisville
13. West Virginia
14. Ohio State
15. Tennessee
16. Arizona State
* - schedule plays a significant role into why one lower ranked team could finish with a better record and bowl berth.
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