Fresno State Football

Just when you thought we were done talking about college football realignment, it took a few more interesting steps over the last 12 hours.

Earlier Wednesday morning, news broke that BYU would move out of the Mountain West Conference and declared that it will go in to independent status.

Then, Wednesday evening, the Mountain West Conference announced that they had extended invitations to two schools: Fresno State University and the University of Nevada-Reno.

This was an invitation, and an announcement, that Fresno State football head coach Pat Hill has been waiting for since his coaching tenure at the school began. His goal was to become well known enough to where they could move up in the college football world.

That goal became reality on Wednesday evening as university president John Welty made the announcement in front of the Fresno media that the Bulldogs would accept the invitation to the Mountain West and said "we will join the conference in either the fall of 2011 or 2012, those details are still to be worked out."

What is also still to be worked out is a buyout clause that Fresno State signed with the WAC not too long ago. Welty confirmed tonight that a buyout had been signed but did not want to discuss how much the buyout was for or what the terms of that buyout were other than to say "the details of that still need to be worked out."

The press conference began right at 7:30 p.m. pacific time and the official announcement was made that Fresno State would be leaving the Western Athletic Conference for the Mountain West.

Making this move will renew rivalries with old WAC schools like San Diego State, UNLV, and New Mexico and will continue their rivalry with Boise State who made the jump a few months ago.

During the press conference, Welty challenged the Fresno State fans and asked for "better attendance and more support." With the change of conference, and undoubtedly, a strong strength of schedule, attendance and support won't be hard to find once the new conference makes its debut.

The move of both Fresno State and Nevada to the Mountain West, plus the departure of Utah and BYU, leaves the conference at 11 official members. Leaving even more questions as to whether there's another invitation that's about to be handed out.

Another rumor that made it's way to the surface today was whether or not TCU was going to hang around. While I'm of the opinion that the addition of Boise State, Fresno State, and Nevada might be enough to keep the Horned Frogs around, an invitation to the Big 12 might be too good for them to pass up.

A source I talked to earlier tonight told me that TCU loves Conference USA and might not waste any time accepting an invitation to join. Another interesting question that was brought up to me earlier tonight was: Would BYU rethink going independent after seeing this announcement tonight or is independence too good right now?

As far as the possible 12th member of the Mountain West, you could look at another WAC team in Hawaii that could make the move right along with the Bulldogs and Wolfpack and would bring back the natural rivalry with San Diego State and UNLV as well.

We won't know the final details of this deal until it's worked out between the two schools and the Mountain West Conference sometime in the coming weeks or months. What we do know is that both Fresno State and Nevada will join the conference either next year or in 2012 but I would imagine this deal gets done in time for the 2011 season.

This is a big move for both schools. It's a move that will benefit both not only in attendance and television revenue but also recruiting. Bigger conference, better recruits.

The Mountain West made a good move today, a move that a lot of people, myself included, didn't think was going to happen after Boise State accepted an invitation.

What happens to the rest of the conference is anyone's guess. For right now, it will remain only rumor until schools start making official announcements on their future plans.

When that starts happening, we'll see what the real fallout of conference expansion will be.

Pat Hill has his work cut out for him in 2010.

With everything that's gone on so far during the off-season, it stands to reason the Fresno State head coach is looking forward to this coming season. Not only is he excited about his roster, but it will be the final time lock up with conference rival Boise State.

The Broncos made a move that one would consider a step up in the world when they accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference in 2011.

Unfortunately for Fresno State, among a few other schools, Boise State was the one and only team that was invited to join. But, with the impending departure of Utah to the Pac-10 next year, it would make sense that the MWC would want to replace the Utes, even though the conference commissioner says they're just fine where they are.

The Bulldogs will enter the 2010 season wanting to prove themselves to all of their critics one more time. They know they have the talent, they know they have the ability, but that doesn't always lead to the best of results.

It seems that, prior to each season, this team has the ability to win 10-12 games—yet they fall well short of that. They underachieve, they disappoint.

However, they have the incentive to surprise the college football world before Boise State's departure turns the WAC into something just about as mediocre and irrelevant as the Sun Belt Conference. No matter how you want to spin it, with Boise State out of the conference, there's really nothing left to hold your hat on.

The Bulldogs want to beat Boise State. Little brother wants to throw an out-of-nowhere left cross that leaves big brother with a slightly noticeable black eye on the way out the door. There's only one problem with that theory, and it's the fact that the game will be played in Boise, a place Fresno State has had little to no success.

This is a Boise State team that, at the end of the tunnel, has a long awaited shot at a national championship if they could go undefeated and do so in convincing fashion. So why wouldn't Fresno State want to be the one to shut the door on history? That is, if Virginia Tech doesn't do it right out of the gate.

The Bulldogs will rely on players like quarterback Ryan Colburn, running back Robbie Rouse, wide receivers Devon Wylie and Jamel Hamler, tight end Vince Pascoe, and defensive end Chris Carter to make this team better than it's been in the past.

To do that, Hill took his staff out to Provo, Utah this past February to meet with the coaching staff at BYU. While that may seem strange to have two different coaching staffs meet, the two teams won't face each other unless they happen to be matched up in a bowl game.

Both offensive staffs met and the Bulldogs learned how to be more efficient on the offensive side of the ball, especially through the air. Though the Bulldogs were 14th in the nation in scoring, 17th in total offense, and eighth in rushing, they wanted to be even better this season.

Jeff Grady, Fresno State's quarterback coach, told the school's official site , "When I watched BYU on film closely, we have similar offensive personnel. In some areas I think we had better personnel and in some areas they may have been a little better, but not a huge difference. What they have been able to do over the years is impressive.

"We do some things really well and they do some things really well. They are so efficient in their passing game and we learned how they accomplish that. Hopefully we can make some adjustments in how we do things to get better and be more efficient."

The Bulldogs are going to need all the help they can get, except the majority of their problems aren't on the offensive side but on the defensive side. Fresno State gave up almost 30 points per game (27.8) and over 400 yards per game (411.7), not to mention they were one of the worst defenses against the run, giving up 212.4 yards per game.

While I applaud Hill for wanting to get better offensively, that wasn't really their problem last season, averaging 34.3 points per game and 435.9 total yards per game, including 231.6 rushing yards per game.

So, again, while I'm glad the Fresno State coaching staff got something out of their meeting with BYU, it doesn't help their secondary from getting burned on deep balls or their defensive line from getting run over by every running back and running quarterback.

This is Fresno State's last chance to prove they are what they've always said they were: the little team that could.

Losing to Boise State won't really sting all that much, seeing as they've gotten pretty good at that over the years. What will sting, however, is losing conference games to the likes of Utah State, Nevada, and Louisiana Tech. Lose games against those teams and you may as well be irrelevant to the rest of college football.

Hill has worked hard to get this team on the college football map. Only problem is, his football team has worked hard and wiping themselves off of it.

They look great at times and far less than mediocre at others. If there's a middle ground somewhere in there, it would be better than what Bulldog fans have watched in the all too recent past.

The Bulldogs and the Boise State Broncos will meet one last time, and it will be on the smurf turf in Boise on a Friday night in November. What's even more fitting is the fact that it will be the 10th game for the Bulldogs. So the excuse of, "The game was too early in the season," won't be in play for this one.

They have a chance to change the course of history for not only Boise State but for themselves, one last chance to show fans why they should still come to Bulldog Stadium and keep the Red Wave roaring like it has for so many years.

Current Conference Realignment is Over, but Aftershock is Expected

A lot of people were surprised that Karl Benson did not pull the trigger on a invitation of a new team or two when Boise State left for the Mountain West Conference.

The majority of Benson's comments about expansion and Boise State's move to the MWC had originally brought thoughts of needing to bring on another FCS team.  They have done this many, many times, but as my broker puts it, "Historical gains do not guarantee future return."

The difference this time around is that the seismic shifting that almost occurred, and may have an aftershock three years from now, would reach all the way to the WAC. 

MWC Has Two More Years to Get an AQ Bid, or Else...

All conferences have completed their second year of a four-year evaluation in determining whether or not an automatic qualifying bid for future BCS bowl games will be extended.

The Mountain West Conference has enjoyed back-to-back excellent seasons, and what do they have to show for it?  Unfortunately not much.  They are teetering on the possibility of being included, but nothing is definite.  If the MWC has even an average season during the final two years it is out of consideration.  This is due to the bottom-third of the conference. 

If an AQ bid is denied, expect BYU, TCU, Boise St., and Air Force to take a hard look at making some moves to put them into an AQ bid situation sooner than later.

Although the Big 12 Conference reprimanded him, Tommy Tuberville had it right when he said that he's not sure how long a 10-team league will last.

In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before the conference disbands.  I still think that Kansas, Kansas St., Iowa St., Baylor, and Missouri (maybe) will be looking for a home. 

I can still see a scenario where BYU, TCU, Boise St., Air Force, and probably UNLV (for bowl game purposes) merge into the Big 12 in order to maintain the AQ bid.

WAC Possibilities: Before and After

Some of the names that were being thrown out as expansion possibilities for the WAC were Sacramento St., UC Davis, Cal-Poly, Montana, Montana St., UNT, UTSA, and Texas St.

Of this group, the only two that seem ready to for the invite would be Montana and UNT.  Montana is one of the only FCS schools that actually makes money from their football program.  North Texas, after giving the Heisman to the WAC in 2004, is realizing that the Sun Belt isn't working out quite they way that they had hoped.

The new question that Karl Benson is waiting for is whether to pull the trigger on a team like Montana or North Texas (again), or wait to see how bad the damage of a potential MWC separation looks.  Another question that Karl Benson is considering is whether a four-team MWC (Colorado St., Wyoming, New Mexico, and San Diego St.) would have enough power to bring the top schools of the WAC into the MWC, or if the MWC would implode. 

WAC Goes to 12 Teams

I don't think that this sounds too far-fetched, because these four teams from the MWC are a time bomb, and it could blow up in the faces of the MWC elite.

That being said, the remaining four of Colorado St., Wyoming, New Mexico, and San Diego St. seem more appealing for the WAC to pick up than Montana or North Texas.  I think that Montana and North Texas should get invited if this scenario doesn't play out as I have laid it out.

Let's look at what the new conference would look like:

WAC East

New Mexico

New Mexico State

Colorado St.

Wyoming

Utah St.

Louisiana Tech

WAC West

Fresno St.

San Jose St.

San Diego St.

Nevada

Hawaii

Idaho

Wait and See...

It will be interesting to see what will happen during the conference realignment aftershock, but most should agree that Karl Benson made the right move.  Eight teams mean more money to divide in their Boise-less condition.

If the conference can produce enough bowl-eligible teams, they have the invites to fill them with for once (Emerald, Humanitarian, Poinsettia, New Mexico, and Hawaii).  Having one less conference game will most likely make WAC teams to have to scramble and schedule a FCS school (like it or not) to their schedule.  This will at least ensure the number of bowl-eligible teams is as high as possible in the short run.

The WAC, by not expanding too early, is in a good position to make the best move and not have any regrets of teams that could wishfully leave the conference. 

For all of the Charger fans who are still unhappy with the selection of Ryan Mathews, let me change your mind. 

Mathews didn't receive much national attention until this past season. Thus, some fans still haven't become as familiar as they should with their favorite team's new running back.

One of the biggest misconceptions, even among analysts, is the belief that he wasn't the starting running back at Fresno State until last year. It is also believed that he faced inferior competition playing in the Western Athletic Conference. 

Coming out of West High School in Bakersfield, CA, Mathews led the nation with almost 3,400 yards rushing and 44 touchdowns, bringing huge expectations from the moment he stepped on to campus at Fresno. As an honor, he was even allowed to wear 21, the retired number of Dale Messer.

During his first season, he became the Bulldog's top rushing threat and led all NCAA freshman in yards per carry and touchdowns. As a sophomore, he ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards and touchdowns through four games. In the fourth game against UCLA, he injured his knee and missed the remainder of the year.

This past season, as a junior, the country finally started to recognize his talent as he once again led the nation in rushing. He saw a huge increase in yards and touchdowns.

When he was healthy, he was the man in Fresno State's backfield.

If you believe Mathews didn't face top competition in the WAC itself, I agree. Other than Boise State being an annual powerhouse, it isn't the strongest conference. However, to say that he never faced top competition is crazy. 

Year in and year out, no one schedules a tougher non-conference schedule than Fresno State. While top programs will schedule "cupcake" opponents at the beginning of the season, the Bulldogs will play anyone, anywhere. During his three years in college, he excelled against top teams such as Boise State, Cincinnati, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Wisconsin.

Before trading up to the 12th spot in the draft, the Chargers decided that Mathews was the perfect selection for their organization. In their eyes—and the eye's of most scouts—he was the most complete running back in the draft. No one else had his combination of size and speed.

He possesses the strength to run through the line of scrimmage, lower his shoulder, and carry defenders three to four yards after initial contact. He also has the speed to outrun them to the end zone. In fact, last season he led college football with seven runs of 50 or more yards.

As for Mathews, he couldn't be in a better place. Since childhood, the Chargers have been one of his favorite teams. After high school, it was important for him to be close to family. That's why he chose Fresno State. After college, he was hoping to be drafted by a team on the west coast for the same reason.

He got his wish.

With immense talent and a desire to be the best, Mathews will not fail to impress.

If you haven't started to change your mind by now, just wait until the season begins!

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews continues to shine in front of NFL scouts, leading some to believe that he may be a legitimate first-round pick. According to reports from Fresno, San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith was in attendance and met with Mathews prior to yesterday's workout.

There have been rumors for weeks, since the Chargers released LaDainian Tomlinson, that Mathews could be a contender to replace the long-time Charger. Not only that, but he's opened enough eyes for some to think he could make an immediate impact on an NFL team.

Mathews is hoping that team is the San Diego Chargers.

"When GMs come out here to watch you, it's a big deal," Mathews told Daniel Lyght of the Fresno Bee . "Hopefully, they like you. Hopefully, I impressed him enough to where if I get a chance to be on his team, [Smith] picks me up."

Mathews was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.48 and 4.53 seconds, respectively. That's enough to open anyone's eyes. The Chargers aren't the only team that's interested in Mathews. He's scheduled to workout for the New England Patriots as well.

The only NFL team that was not in attendance was the Dallas Cowboys, but every other NFL team was there.

Other Fresno State players that were on hand to work out were wide receivers Seyi Ajirotutu, Marlon Moore, and Chastin West, as well as former Bulldog linebacker Tyler Clutts.

Before you Fresno State or WAC fans start coming down on me for being a hater, realize that I grew up in Fresno and remain a huge Bulldog fan. My grandfather was a rabid Fresno State supporter in just about every sport and I inherited the Bulldog blood from him.

That being said, I'm going to be real when it comes to this Fresno State team. If I had to sum up the last few years with one word it very well might be 'lackluster' or even 'underachiever.'

Oddly enough, that's the reason for this article, to talk about Fresno State and their continuing underachieving ways.

Fresno State has seen great players like Trent Dilfer, Lorenzo Neal, Ron Rivers, Ron Cox, Bernard Berrian, Dwayne Wright, David Dunn, David Carr, Ryan Mathews and Michael Pittman among a host of others.

Both Dilfer and Carr made a name for themselves at Fresno State by winning games they shouldn't be winning.

Dilfer's claim to fame was his leadership of a Jim Sweeney coached team that upset USC 24-7 in the 1992 Freedom Bowl. A game that was played in 'SC's backyard of Anaheim, CA and the sad part was, the stadium was filled with 75% Bulldog fans.

As for David Carr, he led the Bulldogs to their first ever top ten ranking and pulled off upsets of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium, against the eventual Big XII champion Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder and then a 44-24 rout of Oregon State who was a pre-season number one pick of Sports Illustrated.

Since David Carr, the Bulldogs have had Paul Pinegar, Tom Brandstater and now Ryan Colburn, none of which finished the season better than a 9-3 finish in 2004, Paul Pinegar's final season with the Bulldogs.

What Pinegar has above Brandstater, Colburn and even David Carr is an unbeaten bowl record, going 3-0 in bowl games as the starter.

Since Pinegar's departure, the Bulldogs are a combined 36-28 and 1-3 in bowl games. Their lone win coming in a 40-28 win over Georgia Tech in the 2007 Humanitarian Bowl.

The 2010 season will begin Ryan Colburn's second season at Fresno State and unlike last spring, Pat Hill needs to make Colburn earn the job over sophomore Derek Carr. A player a lot of Bulldog fans believe is better than Colburn.

Leadership has been this team's down fall since the David Carr and Paul Pinegar eras and it continues to be the thorn in the Bulldogs' side.

Even though there's one Fresno State site that thinks I have a personal problem against Ryan Colburn, having an opinion for one player over another does not counts as having a "vendetta" against that player. If the truth angers you, don't expect an apology from me.

While I don't believe Ryan Colburn is the problem, at least not the entire problem, head coach Pat Hill deserves some of the blame as well. Whether it be not coaching Colburn enough or possibly coaching him too much, it's something that needs to be fixed and quick.

As it sits right now, the Bulldogs have three conference games against the likes of Cincinnati, Mississippi and Illinois with the game against Mississippi coming on the road.

If Fresno State hopes to come out of those three games with at least one win, they need leadership at quarterback and they need someone that's not going to give games away like they were last season.

Now that I'm done taking my shots at the offense, I'll give you Fresno State fans and that particular site time to stop crying because I'm being mean.

Ready? You may need more Kleenex, because I'm not done.

We all remember the famous saying, "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships." Well, if you're Fresno State that saying goes, "Fresno State defense: We watch as you run by."

Defensively this team was atrocious last season. The Bulldogs were fifth in the WAC defensively (411.7 ypg), seventh in rushing defense (212.4 ypg) and third in passing defense (199.3 ypg).

They've gotten worse from the 2008 season in all three of those categories. The Bulldogs are up 18.2 total yards per game from 2008, 15.1 rushing yards per game higher and 3.1 passing yards per game higher than the 2008 season.

If this trend continues, it won't matter if the Bulldog offense is putting up 30 or more points per game and almost 500 yards per game, they're not going to win games giving up numbers like they did last season.

Their three most critical conference games will come against rival Boise State and against Nevada and Idaho.

They're not beating a Boise State team that returns every starter but one and that includes quarterback Kellen Moore and running back Jeremy Avery. With Fresno State losing Ryan Mathews, don't think this game is going to be close, especially on the smurf turf.

If Fresno State can't fix their rushing defense, it won't stop Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Vai Taua from running all over them like they did in 2009 during a 52-14 blowout in Reno. No Ryan Mathews during that blowout, no Ryan Mathews in 2010. So how is this going to go any better for the Bulldogs, even at home? Answer: It's not.

The other three road games will be against Louisiana Tech, San Jose State and Utah State, teams that have scored an average of 25.3 points against the Bulldogs.

They came away with wins against all three teams with the easier one coming in a 41-21 win over San Jose State.

This season, however, don't look for Louisiana Tech and Utah State to be easy wins as the Bulldogs barely got wins against both squads last season.

They gave up 138 yards to Utah State running back Robert Turbin who could be one of the best backs in the conference this season. The Bulldogs needed a last second field goal to beat the Aggies in 2007 and needed 185 and two scores from Ryan Mathews to win in 2009. It may come down to who has the ball last again this season.

To finish this all up and put a pretty little red bow around it, if Fresno State finishes with the same record as 2009 (8-5) and a bowl win , I'll call that a successful season.

Ok, you can put your Kleenex boxes away, extinguish your torches and put the pitchforks back in the barn. This ogre has left the building.