Fresno State Football

Not since quarterback David Carr in 2001, now with the NFL's New York Giants, have the Fresno State Bulldogs had a possible Heisman candidate. Now it looks like Fresno State junior running back Ryan Mathews has possibly emerged as the next candidate for the coveted Heisman trophy, yet he's getting no attention at all.

Growing up and watching a team from a small conference, I've gotten used to the media giving little to no respect to teams like Fresno State. I've gotten used to fans of teams from the top BCS conferences like the ACC, SEC and Big Ten giving little to no respect for teams from conferences like the WAC because "they don't play anyone."

Before I get into talking about a candidate that deserves respect and to be in the Heisman conversation, I wanted to dive a little deeper into the conversation about why there's very little respect for teams like Fresno State.

The way the Bowl Championship Series is set up right now is unfortunate for those in conferences outside those that are granted automatic berths. 

It tells teams like Fresno State, Boise State, Utah, BYU and a few others that they will never play for a national championship regardless of the fact that they might have finished their season undefeated.

Even when Boise State went undefeated in 2006, they still finished behind two-loss teams Michigan and USC in the polls. When they were told they didn't belong, Boise State decided to prove everyone wrong when they knocked off eighth ranked Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. A game that became an instant classic.

Even after Boise State's win, there were still some that argued that Oklahoma played without Adrian Peterson, the team's top running back. Some said Boise would never have won if Peterson had been able to play. Even after an impressive win, even after knocking off a team that no one expected them to beat, the respect still wasn't there.

The reason I bring all of that up is for one simple question: If the BCS says they don't deserve a national championship shot even after going undefeated, does this mean that players from the WAC or MWC don't deserve consideration for the Heisman Trophy?

Regardless of the fact that there is a running back out of the WAC that currently leads the nation in rushing, does he not deserve any consideration at all for the Heisman Trophy because of the conference he plays in?

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews would tell you that he'd much rather stay in the shadows and keep to himself. He's not the kind of guy that looks for attention or craves it. He's the kind of guy that shys away from the spotlight, the media cameras and post game questions about his own performance.

Since Mathews isn't going to be the one to campaign for himself, I'll take it upon myself to thrust him into the national spotlight.

Through four games this season, Mathews leads the nation in rushing with 592 total yards, and a 148 yard per game average. Four of his five touchdowns have come on runs of 60 yards or more, with three of those four on a Friday night game on national television against conference rival Boise State. Even after that performance, still, no one talks about him.

Take a look at one of the guys that is getting a lot of Heisman hype and you'll only see one difference between Mathews and Cal running back Jahvid Best.

Through the same amount of games (4), Mathews leads Best in total yards rushing (592/467), yards per game (148.0/116.8), carries (87/69) and they're dead even in yards per carry (6.8). The only difference between Mathews and Best is the touchdown total which Best leads with eight to Mathews' five.

So why is Mathews not getting any hype at all if the only difference between one running back and another is their touchdown total? You can't use the argument "Fresno State hasn't played anyone," when Cal has had the more favorable schedule thus far.

Fresno State has faced UC Davis, Wisconsin, Boise State and Cincinnati to open their season where Cal has played Maryland, Eastern Washington, Minnesota and Oregon. Both teams have played half of their four games at home, both have played a conference rival.

Against Oregon, who was giving up 132.5 yards per game (8th in the PAC-10), Best was held to just 55 yards rushing and did not get into the end zone in Cal's lopsided 42-3 loss.

Against Boise, second in the WAC giving up just 120.5 yards per game, Mathews went for a career high 234 rushing yards and was responsible for 21 of Fresno State's 34 points in their 51-34 loss.

So I ask again, why does one guy get hype when it's the other that has better numbers?

If making a case for Mathews against Jahvid Best didn't get it done, how about comparing him to former Heisman Trophy winners like USC's Reggie Bush and Wisconsin's Ron Dayne.

Through the same number of games (4), Mathews is 101 yards better than Bush (491) and 20 yards fewer than Ron Dayne (612) but in just 14 fewer carries than Dayne's 101.

If Mathews continues at the clip he's on now, averaging 148 yards per game, he'll finish the season with 1,776 rushing yards surpassing Reggie Bush's 1,740 rushing yards during his 2005 Heisman season.

No, I'm not comparing Mathews to the kind of athletes that both Bush and Dayne were during their amazing seasons. I know there will never be another Reggie Bush and no one will ever break the Division I record that Dayne set in his 1999 season for the Wisconsin Badgers.

All I'm saying is, there's a young running back that deserves at least a little respect and a little attention for what he's been able to do this season.

What conference he plays in or who Fresno State plays against should have no bearing on his consideration for being one of the best college football players this season.

Though we don't know where his numbers will go during the remaining eight games on the schedule, he's done enough to at least be in the conversation. 

Or should I tell the Western Athletic and Mountain West Conferences that they'll never ever have a player considered for the most coveted trophy in the land next to the Sears National Championship trophy?

For the third straight week, an ill-timed interception by quarterback Ryan Colburn cost Fresno State a victory. It's time for Pat Hill to consider making a change at quarterback or risk more games ending up like the last three.

Fresno State opened their season at home against the UC Davis Aggies and got an impressive performance from first year quarterback Ryan Colburn in a 51-0 blowout of UC Davis. He finished the game with five completions on nine attempts for 161 yards and one touchdown, that coming on a 92 yard strike to wide receiver Marlon Moore, and one interception.

In the last three games, coming against Wisconsin, Boise State and Cincinnati, Colburn has thrown six interceptions and half of those came in Fresno State's 34-31 double overtime loss to Wisconsin.

The problem isn't the interceptions he's throwing, it's the timing of where they're coming in the game.

Against Wisconsin, after not throwing a single interception in the first half of the game, Colburn would throw two interceptions in the second half, none bigger than the one that came mid-way through the third quarter.

On a second down play from the Bulldogs own 15-yard line, Ryan Mathews would pick up 55 yards to the Wisconsin 30-yard line. It looked like the Bulldogs had the momentum to pick up another score.

But on the very next play, Colburn tried to force a pass between three Wisconsin defenders and was intercepted by Wisconsin defensive back Niles Brinkley. Ending a very promising drive that started on the Bulldog three yard line.

Though neither of the two second half interceptions ended in Wisconsin scores, the Bulldogs could have at least picked up a field goal. Had they done that, it would have made Kevin Goessling's 41-yard field goal with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter the game winner. Instead, the two teams would go into overtime.

After trading touchdowns in the first overtime, Fresno State would get the ball to start the second overtime.

The very first play for the Bulldogs, Ryan Colburn threw up a pass that wide receiver Chastin West had no chance in catching and it was intercepted in the end zone by Chris Maragos.

That turned out to be the nail in the Bulldogs' coffin as it gave Wisconsin the ball and eventually the game winning field goal.

Against Boise State, just a week later, Colburn was intercepted on just the fourth play of the game by Boise State's Wilton Venable for a touchdown. However, It wasn't the interceptions that were the problem for Colburn in this game, but the underthrown passes that plagued the Bulldog quarterback all night long.

He was forcing his receivers to come back to the ball and trying to either break up an interception or trying to out jump the Boise State cornerbacks. for the ball.

Then, this past Saturday against Cincinnati, Colburn again threw an interception on what turned out to be the most pivotal drive of the game.

With Fresno State trailing Cincinnati 21-17, the Bulldogs drove all the way down inside the Bearcat 10-yard line.

Cincinnati stuffed Bulldog running back Ryan Mathews on a third-and-one which would end up being the final play of the third quarter. It allowed Bulldog head coach Pat Hill to discuss fourth down options with his quarterback. The decision between kicking a field goal and pulling to within one point, or going for the touchdown and taking the lead?

The decision to go for it would backfire as Colburn telegraphed his pass and he was intercepted by Cincinnati linebacker Craig Carey.

It went from being a possible game winning drive to being a drive that Cincinnati used for their own gain as quarterback Tony Pike led his team down the field for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach for good.

Although Hill told the Fresno media prior to the season opener against UC Davis that Colburn won the quarterback job outright, the decision has looked like a bad one through four games this season.

The Bulldogs should be 4-0 or at worst 3-1 right now, but instead they're quite possibly known as one of the best 1-3 teams in the country.

It's not that the offense as a whole is lacking, the Bulldogs are outgaining their opponents week in and week out.

Over their last three games, they're averaging 472 yards per game while their opponents are averaging 416 yards per game. They're also winning the time of possession battle, holding an almost 34-to-22 minute advantage over those last three games.

If Fresno State is going to salvage their season a change needs to be made. Make no mistake about it the Bulldogs still have a chance for the Western Athletic Conference title if they don't lose another conference game from here on out.

There are two very talented freshmen quarterbacks waiting in the wings in Derek Carr, younger brother of former number one pick David Carr, as well as Ebahn Feathers. Two quarterbacks who can lead this team out of the slump they're currently in. The question becomes, will Pat Hill make that change.

Unfortunately, if past history is any indication, Hill would undoubtedly stick with Colburn. But if Ryan continues to make the same mistakes, don't be surprised if Hill makes the tough decision to try and salvage a season that may already be slipping away.

Pat Hill has always believed in over-achieving ever since he took over at Fresno State in the fall of 1996, following long time Bulldog coach Jim Sweeney. Hill wanted to turn a team from one that had three straight losing seasons to a team that could win year in and year out.

Hill began the mantra of "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime" at Fresno State. He wanted Fresno State to play "big time football" against some of the top teams in the country.

Over the past 11 seasons, not including the in progress 2009 season, Hill has done just that, playing teams like USC, Wisconsin, Kansas State and Oklahoma in recent years.

In 2001, it looked like Hill and the Bulldogs were finally reaping the benefits as they earned a No. 8 national ranking and the cover page and story in Sports Illustrated.

The Bulldogs opened the season with a surprising 24-22 win on the road against Colorado followed by a 44-24 drubbing of then tenth ranked Oregon State at Bulldog Stadium then a 32-20 win over Wisconsin up in Madison.

They were shocking the college football world, this wasn't a team that was expected to beat teams like these and especially not on the road. But they were doing just that, gaining Hill and the Bulldogs national respect around the country.

But, in what's become a familiarity with every Bulldog team, the high was met by an unbelievable low. After conference wins over Tulsa and Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs would be upset by a familiar foe in Boise State, a 35-30 loss at home followed by a 38-34 loss in Hawaii against the Warriors.

Since that season, there has been a lot of talk from fans that Hill should come down from the kind of scheduling he's done since he became the head coach. That playing some of the top teams in college football wears on his players and causes more injuries and fatigue later in the season.

Some fans say he expects too much from his teams, that he should schedule lesser teams and get them ready for conference play. To stop concentrating on making a BCS bowl game and just concentrate on winning an outright WAC title, something Hill hasn't accomplished in his tenure.

My take is far different from that of fans I've talked to in the past as well as friends that still live in the area.

Without Pat Hill, Fresno State would still be some small unknown school in the central valley of California. There would be no talk of them being a preseason "BCS Buster" or the possibility that they could shock some prime time team in college football.

I'm not the type of fan that wants to see Fresno State schedule UC Davis, Portland State and Sacramento State year in and year out just so they can possibly be undefeated going into conference play. That is going to do them an ounce of good when they're still getting thumped by Boise State and Hawaii.

My other problem is I think is those that want Pat Hill fired. The one thing I've yet to see from those people is who they want instead of Hill. Who do the Bulldog fans want as their head coach if you're wanting so badly to get rid of someone that's turned this program around from where it used to be.

Hill's "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime" mantra has increased the visibility of this program. The impact of which may have encouraged players, who otherwise wouldn't have given them a second look, to consider Fresno State during recruiting.

Though there is inherent risk in traveling to some of the top BCS schools, it is also a way to garner some level of credibility in Hill’s no-fear attitude.

I have been and will continue to be a supporter of coach Hill. I'd much rather watch this program face teams like Wisconsin, Oregon and USC than watch them pummel teams like UC Davis, Portland State and any other game most of us would consider "warmups."

Support him or don't, as long as Pat Hill is the head coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs, his mantra will continue to be the focus of their scheduling.

In what is being called one of the best games in the history of this rivalry, Fresno State and Boise State traded big play for big play.

When the smoke finally cleared, it was Boise State that had pulled away late for a 51-34 win over the Fresno State Bulldogs.

There were so many game-changing moments, missed opportunities, incredible plays, and even more incredible players.

So, here's a look back at five things we learned about Fresno State in their loss to Boise State.

1. Ryan Mathews is a stud

Junior running back Ryan Mathews showed off for a national audience last night and definitely made a case for himself being in consideration for one of the nation's top running backs.

Mathews carried the ball 19 times for 234 yards and three scores. All three touchdowns came on runs of 60 yards or more. He carried this team all night long and impressed a lot of people across the country.

2. Ryan Colburn still isn't impressing me

Against Wisconson, just a week ago, junior quarterback Ryan Colburn made some great throws that were right on the money to his receivers. But, then he started to show a lack of arm strength like a starting pitcher tiring in the seventh inning.

Colburn had just 10 yards passing in the entire first half against Boise, finishing with 187 yards on the game and one touchdown.

The problem was, Colburn was underthrowing his receivers all night long. Forcing guys like Chastin West and Seyi Ajirotutu to come back to the ball and out-jump the cornerback.

One of my keys to this game was for Ryan to limit his interceptions. On the third play of the game he was intercepted by Winston Venable, brother of San Diego Padres' outfielder Will Venable, for a touchdown that put Boise up 7-0.

Later in the first half, Colburn was intercepted again, which Boise turned into a field goal for an early 10-0 lead.

Don't be surprised, if this continues, if we see freshman Derek Carr under center before the season is over.

3. Defensive End Chris Carter is for real

Junior defensive end Chris Carter was a thorn in the side of Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore all night long. He came up with huge defensive stops at key points in the game...with a full cast on his left hand.

The speed that he has off the ball is arguably the best the Bulldogs have had in quite some time.

This kid is going to be one to watch all season long, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him jump to the NFL after this season.

4. Fresno State's defense is the best I've seen in years

This is by far the fastest defense I've seen from Fresno State in a long time. The defensive backs weren't getting beaten deep, the linebackers for the most part played the run pretty well, and the defensive end was getting to Kellen Moore more than a few times.

They do still need a lot of work as the game wears on because Boise State finally wore them down, allowing running back Jeremy Avery to break off a few big runs of his own.

5. They need help on special teams

More than a few times last night, Boise State was able to break Fresno State's containment on special teams and that allowed them to start at least two drives inside Fresno State's 20-yard line.

Even when a 102-yard return was called back for holding, Fresno State re-kicked and was beaten again by a different return man inside their own 15-yard line.

If other teams in the WAC were watching, they know that is going to be one of Fresno State's weaknesses. It's something they need to fix, or they're going to give up a lot of field position.

6. Robbie Rouse will be a running back to watch for the Bulldogs

Young freshman running back Robbie Rouse has already made his name known in the Fresno State backfield.

The 5'8" 185-pound running back from San Diego has shown the kind of quickness that Ryan Mathews shows and could be just as dangerous with the ball in his hands.

I doubt Mathews will be back for his senior season in 2010, so look for Rouse to be the heir apparent to Mathews next season.

Click here to see what the Broncos learned from this shootout.

The Western Athletic Conference has its own share of rivalries, its share of "must watch" games, but none are bigger than the rivalry between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Boise State Broncos.

In past years, these two teams have looked at their schedules prior to their season starting and both pointed out this one game.

When the game takes place in November, it's a game that fans of both teams look forward to and a game that could decide the WAC Champion.

But for whatever reason, this year's edition of the rivalry between Fresno State and Boise State takes place on the third week of the season for both teams—earlier than it's ever been.

That doesn't mean that the rivalry won't be as strong or the game doesn't mean as much as it usually would. Make no mistake about it—both teams are going to be revved up and ready to go on Friday night.

Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, CA is already sold out, the Bulldog Shop across the street from the stadium has been selling Fresno State White Out T-shirts, and the airwaves around town have been going crazy about this game.

Boise State (2-0) comes into this game ranked 10th in the country, opening the season with an impressive 19-8 win over the Oregon Ducks and a blowout 48-0 win over Miami (OH).

For Fresno State (1-1), the Bulldogs returned home after a disappointing loss to Wisconsin this past weekend—a game that was easily winnable. Late turnovers and a missed field goal, though, allowed Wisconsin to sneak away with a 34-31 double overtime victory.

This is a game that means just as much to both teams. Both have something to prove; both have something on the line. This is a game that Boise State has dominated in recent years, but Fresno State could surprise if it makes the right plays at the right time.

Fresno State will win if...

...the defense can keep pressure on QB Kellen Moore

Fresno State's defense needs to be a force in this game. They need to put and keep pressure on Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore. They can't allow him to sit in the pocket and pick the defense apart.

Moore had 198 yards passing against Oregon and 307 last weekend against Miami (OH). Keep pressure on him and force him to make throws, and it could get him off his game.

...the Bulldogs pound Boise State's defense on the ground

Fresno State is well known for its running game. Ryan Mathews has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his first two games, but the Bulldogs have another threat that is making his name known.

Freshman running back Robbie Rouse has made his presence felt with his speed out of the backfield. He ran for 75 yards in their opening game against UC Davis and added 46 against Wisconsin. Get him involved with Mathews, along with Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding, and wear the Boise State defense down.

...the Bulldogs capitalize on opportunities

Fresno State shot itself in the foot against Wisconsin and missed on opportunities that could have put the game away early. A missed field goal in the first half from kicker Kevin Goessling and three interceptions by quarterback Ryan Colburn, two of which turned into game-changers, kept Wisconsin in the game.

The Bulldogs need to limit their mistakes and capitalize on their opportunities. Colburn needs to stay patient in the pocket and deliver the kind of impressive throws we saw against Wisconsin.

When they have makable field goals, Goessling needs to make sure that he puts them through the uprights because every point is going to be huge for the Bulldogs.

Fresno State will lose if...

...it continues to turn the ball over

As I mentioned before, Fresno State killed itself with turnovers in its loss to Wisconsin. Colburn threw two key interceptions; one ended a promising drive after a long run from Mathews, and the other came on the first play of the second overtime.

Colburn needs to avoid forcing his throws, and he needs to stop underthrowing his receivers. That led to two of his three interceptions.

...the offense can't move the ball

If Fresno State can't establish the run and can't get anything with any of its three running backs, it's not going to help the passing game.

The offensive line needs to make sure it's opening holes for the run game as well as giving Colburn time to throw.

The X-Factor

Fresno State's defense

The biggest factor for me is going to be defensive end Chris Carter. He took advantage of a fairly inexperienced Wisconsin offensive line and got to the quarterback a few times during the game.

Carter needs to lead this defense, which needs to establish itself early. Keep Boise State's offense off the field and allow the Bulldog offense to put points up early. If the defense can limit the damage and not let Boise get out ahead early, Fresno State could be in prime position to make a move.

Prediction

Boise State better come ready to play, or the Broncos will be taken by surprise by a younger, faster Fresno State team than they saw last season.

Boise State picked Fresno State apart in their game last year and ran all over the Bulldogs before the first half was even over.

There's no question that the Broncos' defense is one of the best they've had in a while, and that could prove costly for Colburn and Co.

That said, ever the eternal optimist and with Fresno State playing at home, I think the Bulldogs limit their mistakes and Colburn will shine on national television, coming up with a big touchdown late.

Fresno State 34, Boise State 28

To see the Boise State side of this rivalry, check out Drew Morgan's article.

This was a game that Fresno State wanted; this was a game the Bulldogs had looked forward to since it was put on the schedule. The Bulldogs wanted revenge since a heartbreaking 13-10 loss last season.

Unfortunately for Fresno State, it was missed opportunities that led to a 34-31, double-overtime loss to Wisconsin. Three interceptions, including one on the first play in the second overtime, led to Wisconsin sneaking away with another three-point victory.

Here's a few things to take away from this game, both the good and the bad for Fresno State.

QB Ryan Colburn

Colburn played extremely well for being in his first game as a starter, especially playing at Wisconsin, but his poise in the pocket and delivering of big passes really impressed me on this day. Colburn completed 22-of-36 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns, including a big one to wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu in the first overtime.

His downfalls were his three interceptions on the day, two of which came at the most inopportune times.

In the third quarter, after a long run by running back Ryan Mathews that put Fresno State deep into Wisconsin territory, Colburn was intercepted. It ended a promising Fresno State drive that could have ended in a touchdown or, at the least, a field goal that could have put the game out of reach.

In the second overtime, Colburn tried to hit wide receiver Chastin West but underthrew his receiver, allowing the Wisconsin safety to get in front and intercept the ball in the end zone.

That interception would turn out to the be the deciding one, as Wisconsin nailed the  winning field goal a few plays later.

Bulldog Defense

For the entire game, Fresno State's defense really didn't play too poorly. Thanks to three Colburn interceptions, the Bulldog defense was kept on the field a little longer than it should have.

Give the Bulldogs credit, though; Wisconsin was not able to capitalize on those interceptions and was forced to punt.

For most of the first half, the defense did a great job of keeping Wisconsin's offense off the field and, if you saw my keys to the game, keeping Wisconsin's offense off the field was definitely one of them.

Turning point in the game

The turning point in the game came at the end of the first half. The Fresno State defense, instead of playing back to keep the long ball out of play, came on a blitz, allowing Wisconsin to complete a long pass play down the field. That play set up a 57-yard field goal that pulled the Badgers to within a 21-17 score.

Missed opportunity

Fresno State kicker Kevin Goessling, who missed three pivotal field goals in the Bulldogs' 13-10 loss to Wisconsin in 2008, missed another big field goal in the first half that proved to be costly.

With Fresno State already leading, 21-7, the Bulldogs got into easy field goal range for Goessling, but the kick never curled in and missed to the right.

Wisconsin took advantage of the miss and took the ball down the field for touchdown, cutting the Fresno State lead in half.

It doesn't get easier from here

Fresno State boarded a plane back to Fresno to get ready for its showdown against WAC rival Boise State, a game that will be televised on ESPN on Friday night.

From there, the Bulldogs will take their longest road trip of the season. They will fly to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats and then to the Hawaiian islands to take on the Hawaii Warriors.

For this young team, picking up a 51-0 shutout victory over UC Davis was promising, but the team will have it's first real test on Saturday.

For the past few years, Bulldog fans have watched their team play only to the level of their opponent. Ending in a disappointing let down that either turned into a closer game than it should be or a game they shouldn't have lost.

But, fortunately for their fans, they were treated to something that hadn't been seen in the past few seasons. A dominating shutout of a lesser team.

Although UC Davis is nowhere near the team that Fresno State is, this Bulldogs squad came into their season opener young and untested, especially at quarterback.

Fortunately for Pat Hill and his coaching staff, junior starting quarterback Ryan Colburn and freshman quarterback Ebahn Feathers played like season veterans. Not just that, but the defense looked stronger than years passed, even intercepting a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter.

But even a promising first game won't get them read for what they face this coming weekend as the young squad will be in Madison, WI to take on the Wisconsin Badgers from Camp Randall Stadium.

This is going to be in front of a very hostile crowd, but don't take that the wrong way Badger fans, just meaning they're going to be ramped up for this one and the Badgers don't want Fresno State to hang around at all in this game.

For the Bulldogs, this will begin the first of a very tough stretch of games. After their game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. the Bulldogs will return home to face their WAC rival, the Boise State Broncos.

From there, it's back on the road to Cincinnati, OH to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats. Then, it's back on a plane for their longest road trip of the year as they'll travel to the Hawaiian islands to take on the Hawaii Warriors from Aloha Stadium.

But, before then, they need to get ready for what they're about to walk into on Saturday. Not only are they facing off against arguably their toughest opponent of the season, next to Boise State, they're doing it on the road in front of 100,000 fans or more.

Keys to the game

The Bulldogs need to be mentally prepared for this game and not be so focused on the crowd or who they're facing.

First, first year starter Ryan Colburn needs to have his offense ready. It's going to take definite communication to get past the crowd noise when the offense has the ball.

Ryan is going to need to focus on reading the Badger defense and needs to know how to get an audible to his offense when needed.

The biggest key to a win for Fresno State is going to be their running game. They're going to need huge contributions from their three-headed monster. Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding need to have the game of their lives if they're going to get this done.

Keeping Wisconsin's offense off the field is a major key to this game.

Defensively, Fresno State needs to key in on Badger's quarterback Scott Tolzien but they also need to be on the lookout for redshirt freshman quarterback Curt Phillips who could give Fresno State a whole another look.

In Wisconsin's home opener against Northern Illinois, a game they only won by eight points, Northern Illinois loaded the box and dared Wisconsin to beat them through the air. Wisconsin was up for the challenge as Tolzien and Phillips combined for 281 yards passing.

If Fresno State keep Tolzien and Phillips in check and their offense can jump on Wisconsin early, they may be well on their way to victory.

Todd's prediction

If Fresno State can get on the board early and keep Wisconsin's offense off the field, this could be a big win for the Bulldogs. I think the game will be kept close for all four quarters, but I believe Fresno State will pull ahead late and stay ahead.

Fresno State 27 - Wisconsin 21

Game notes

Fresno State will make it's 63rd national television appearance this decade as the game will be televised by ESPN. Kickoff is scheduled for 9am PDT.

The Wisconsin Badgers go into week two of the college football season with a problem—the flu.

At least 10 of the Badgers' players have reported flu like symptoms. Hopefully they don't make the fans sick this week.

The Badgers have to face Fresno State, a team they squeaked by last season in Cali 13-10.

The Bulldogs lost quarterback Tom Brandstater, but last week put up 511 total offensive yards.

The other problem that the Badgers will face is how to stop Fresno running back Ryan Matthews.

The Bulldogs are 13-2 in the last 15 games Matthews has started, and he has scored 23 touchdowns in his last 20 games.

The Bulldogs will look to test a defense that only allowed 100 yards rushing in its first game. The Badgers defense showed some definite potential, posting three sacks and five tackles for loss.

The Badgers will also have to prepare for the Bulldogs trio of quarterbacks, led by Ryan Colburn and Derek Carr. The Bulldogs must prepare for Badger quarterbacks Scott Tolzien and Curt Phillips.

Tolzien was solid against Northern Illinois, throwing for 257 yards, including an 80-yard strike in the first quarter to Isaac Anderson.

If the Badgers get their ground game going behind John Clay and Zach Brown, it will be a long day for Fresno.

But the Badgers were somewhat lackluster rushing the ball last week, gaining only 94 yards between Clay and Brown.

Fresno State's defense returns eight starters from a year ago, while the Badgers defense is relatively young and inexperienced, especially at the line.

Expect Wisconsin's defensive ends to record a few more sacks in this game. J.J. Watt is very athletic and good sealing off the outside against the run and containing the quarterback.

On special teams the Badgers looked a little better than last season when they were last in the nation in kick return yards.

The kicking game struggled uncharacteristically last week, as sophomore Phillip Welch missed two. You can expect him to rebound this week, and be perfect on any attempts he makes.

This game will start off slow, but the Badgers will avoid the mistake they made last week of lowering their intensity when they are ahead. The Badgers will win this game in the second half by pounding the rock.

What to Watch

Wide receivers

The Badger receivers really stepped up last week, and had one of the better games as a group I have seen in a while. Garret Graham was his usual consistent self.

Was the effectiveness of the Badgers' passing game just an illusion, or will they be able to have some continuity throughout the season?

Mistakes

The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win this game. The Badgers need to be very tight on the penalties, and not turn the ball over. Tolzien threw two picks last week, but no one can blame the first one on him. Someone on the offensive line missed an assignment.

Big Ten 

The Big Ten has a big chance to return to the national spotlight this weekend. Purdue versus Oregon, OSU versus USC, and Michigan versus Notre Dame highlight a big weekend for the conference.

Fresno State opened their season in front of their home crowd at Bulldog Stadium, and the one thing they couldn't afford was a let down against UC Davis. Fresno State made sure there was no doubt who the top dog was on this night.

This is what we've all been waiting for, all season long. It was opening night at Bulldog Stadium and the Red Wave crowd was rocking on Saturday night.

Unfortunately for the visiting Aggies of UC Davis, they probably would have been better off staying at home for this one as the game got out of hand early and just got progressively worse for UC Davis as the night went on.

Quarterback Ryan Colburn, making his first ever start as a junior for Fresno State, had a great opening game. He would finish with 161 yards passing including a 92-yard strike to wide receiver Marlon Moore in the second quarter.

The defense also flexed it's muscles. In the second quarter, just when it looked like UC Davis was about to get on the scoreboard, Bulldog linebacker Nico Herron would intercept a pass at the five yard line and return 95-yards for the score.

The Bulldog defense would also add a safety late in the fourth quarter for the final points of the ball game.

That was as close as the Aggies would get all night as the Fresno State Bulldogs pounded UC Davis 51-0.

Running backs Lonyae Miller and Ryan Mathews both saw the end zone. Mathews rushed for 106 yards including a 60-yard score in the very first quarter to put Fresno up 14-0 at that point.

Another quarterback that Fresno State fans have been buzzing about, freshman Ebahn Feathers, also saw game action in the second quarter.

With Fresno State already leading 28-0, Feathers was brought in and showed why so many people have talked about his blazing speed as he would get a 20-yard rushing touchdown of his own.

This was a game that Fresno State needed to make a statement in, and they did just that with not only a blowout, but a shutout as well. They needed momentum going into next weekend's game against the University of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.

The Bulldogs not only showed their athleticism on offense, but they showed the same on defense as well, which is something that hasn't been seen in quite some time.

Though this is a good win for Fresno State, it's against a lesser team. Their next four games should be the real test of what this team is made of.

From here, Fresno State will travel to Wisconsin, return home to face WAC rival Boise State, then travel to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats. Then they'll face their hardest road trip of the year as they'll travel from Cincinnati, OH to the big island in Hawaii to take on the Warriors of Hawaii.

If Fresno State can come out of those four games with at least a 2-2 record, I think most fans will most definitely take that.

But, for now, the players will relish this victory and enjoy it before hitting the practice field on Tuesday as they'll have Monday off for the holiday. Coach Hill has gotten a team ready for Wisconsin before, but he'll need to look for something extra from this team to get them mentally and emotionally ready for this kind of hostile crowd.

Week one in the books and a whole lot more football to play.

That familiar smell is in the air. The smell of freshly cut grass, the smell of anticipation around the campus, the feeling that something new is about to get started. 

It's the college football season and, for Fresno State, it begins this coming Saturday as they kick off their 2009 season against the Aggies of UC Davis.

The Fresno State Bulldogs have looked forward to this all summer long. They've looked forward to wiping the slate clean after a disappointing 2008 season that finished with a 40-35 loss to Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl.

Head Coach Pat Hill will put his team through the fifth toughest schedule in the nation. A schedule that will send the Bulldogs to Madison, WI to face the Badgers, to Cincinnati, OH to take on the nationally ranked Cincinnati Bearcats and to the Hawaiian islands to take on Western Athletic Conference rival Hawaii.

If there was ever a test of this team's character, they won't have to wait long for those it to come. The first five games could make or break this team for the remainder of their schedule. 

But before they can begin that stretch run against Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and Hawaii, they'll have to have their focus on Bulldog Stadium for their home opener against the Aggies of UC Davis.

These two teams used to face each other nearly every year between 1922 and 1938, but the two haven't faced each other on the football field since 1956.  The Bulldogs currently hold an 11-5-1 record against the Aggies.

For Fresno State, the 2009 season will mark it's 88th season in college football and it will also mark the fourth time in the last five seasons that the Bulldogs have opened the season at home.  They won all four of those games by a combined score of 107-39 and haven't lost a season home opener since 1996 and are 12-2 all time in those games.

The question that still remained unanswered, just days before their season opening agame against UC Davis, was who Hill was going to have under center for the game on Saturday. 

That question was answered on Tuesday night when Hill announced that Junior Ryan Colburn would be the starting quarterback for the Fresno State Bulldogs, ending speculation that the job could possibly go to Freshmen Ebahn Feathers or Derek Carr.

"He's been here four years, so he had a great lead in knowledge and everything else," Hill told the Fresno media. "Derek has done a great job. But Ryan Colburn won the job on his performance. It was very, very close. But he won the job."

Hill said he liked what he saw in Colburn, "I just felt that his pocket presence, his accuracy, his change in his ability to throw the longball, just his consistency was the deciding factor."

When Hill was asked if Feathers or Carr could see some time during the season, he responded, "There are times when a starting pitcher is pulled for a relief pitcher. We're in a position now, we can bring someone off the bench and hopefully win the game for us."

Now that a starting quarterback has been made clear, Fresno State will be have their final practices to get ready for UC Davis this weekend.

The one thing the Bulldogs need to make sure of is that they're not looking past this game against the Aggies and looking to their trip to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. 

They need to keep their head in this game and make sure they take care of business. Once that's done, then coach Hill will get his team ready for what could be their biggest road trip of the season and biggest statement game of the season.

Lose this game on Saturday, and they face possibly returning home 0-2 and facing the 12th ranked Boise State Broncos.  That's why it's so important that they keep their focus and get the win on Saturday and have some momentum heading to Wisconsin.

Kick off will be at 7 PM PDT from Bulldog Stadium and according to The Fresno Bee, 27,978 tickets had been sold for Saturday's game.