FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS O:6 D:8

The Bulldogs looked primed for their first ever WAC Championship under Head Coach Pat Hill through their first nine games, but the heartbreaking loss at USC caused a downward spiral that could only be brought to a stop once they lost their final game of the season. This year’s squad returns 14 starters, but it loses a number of major impact players. A very raw QB will now lead the offense, but it’s loaded with depth, talent, and experience. The RB corps gets a healthy reacquisition of Dwayne Wright who was a 1300-yard rusher back in ’04 before he was hampered by a leg injury. The WR corps should get plenty of time to find holes in the defense with one of the best O-Line’s in the country protecting the QB. Until the new QB becomes comfortable with the offense, look for the Bulldogs to look to its ground game. Defensively, the Bulldogs return eight starters but lose their solid tandem in the secondary and their disruptor upfront. Still, this is a very stout defense led by one of the better front walls in the WAC. Look for their special teams to shine with everyone back, and rank amongst the best in the country. If ever a team were to bounce back from a disappointing season, it would be a team led by HC Hill. He’s a winner, and one of the better motivators around. He’s got an experienced team on hand, and is yet to win less than eight games since 2001. Still, for him to grab his first ever WAC Championship, he’ll have to do it on the road at Boise, which has never been nice to him or the Bulldogs program.