Which team do you think will give Fresno State the most trouble this season? We all have high hopes for our beloved 'Dawgs, and want them to win out. Still, our 'Dawgs have a history of gearing up for the big game, and then losing a seemingly simple matchup (Utah State, San Jose State). And other times, they play their hearts out, only to come up short as time expires (USC, Oregon x 2, Texas A&M). Our offense was really gellin' at the end of last season - can they continue the magic and pick up where they left off? Will our defense overcome the loss of Tyler Clutts and Marcus Riley, and will the interceptions return? Will crucial blocked punts and blocked kicks ensure additional victories? This could be a turning point; will this be Fresno State's year?
Wisconsin being ranked by CBSsportsline #11, would make that game the tuffest according to the pros here. Fresno State is currently ranked at #23 on the same poll. But being a home game for FS MMMMmmm. This should be a standing room only game...for those who wait till August to attempt a ticket purchase. Hawaii should'nt even be on the list.....without Colt Brennan last year .....getting knocked out....FS came storming back.......? Boise State owns the WAC, as a long time FS fan.........That is our tuffest road game. Rutgers and UCLA are good teams, but Boise's staff are familular with Pat Hill's game plan. Rutgers and especially UCLA are gona know what type of monster is coming to town. Expect 15,000 plus FS fans at the Rose Bowl......I would say 20,000, but I think Fuel prices may detour a few ppl to the couch. It has been 3 years since I had this kind of intense feeling about a bulldog team SMASHING FOES IN THE MOUTH. I just hope the defense can hold these tuffer opponents to 30-35 points cause FS will likely put up 35-45 points per game. Even with a new offensive cord., which I think was an awesome pickup by Hill.......expect NCAAB type scores from this offense ALL YEAR LONG! ANYONE! ANYTIME! ANYPLACE! (SMILE)
I'd have to go with Wisconsin as being the Dogs toughest competition this season. UCLA shouldn't be too strong, but the game is in their building so it may be closer than we all would like. Rutgers shouldn't be as strong this year, and Toledo is scary but will need to play like Appalachian State to get a win vs the Dogs.
My idea in posting this is that Wisconsin is probably the toughest game of the year. I think UCLA is going to be a W for the 'Dawgs, but by no means will the game be a cake walk. The 'Dawgs will have to earn it. Same with Rutgers - definitely not a pushover, but a victory that will truly have-to-be earned. Both games will be trench battles that we have to dominate. I also think Boise and their farm-boy strong lines on both sides will give the 'Dawgs fits, but they should come away with the victory there as well. Toledo and Hawaii should be the easy Ws, but what really has to happen is that the 'Dawgs cannot afford to THINK it's an easy win. They can't lay back - they have to show up and just demolish those teams. They have to get pumped for each and every game and not get lax. Remember in '01 when they beat Wisconsin, Colorado, Colorado State and Oregon State to start the season, and then lost to Boise State and Hawaii in consecutive weeks? Remember the battle with USC in '05 and then they lost out the rest of the season? They can't not show up. THEY CAN'T NOT SHOW UP. We need to rally our 'Dawgs for each and every game - no slacking this year. THIS IS OUR YEAR! I have never felt so excited or felt such confidence in our team before.
I want that W at home against Wisconsin SO FREAKIN' BAD, and I hope it can happen. I'm not convinced yet. I think an 11-1 season is achievable. a 10-2 would just be such a downer. A WAC championship this year is a must. We have to run the table in our own conference and get it.
Wisconsin will probably be the toughest game on our schedule. They are coming in ranked # 9 in preseason ranking and deservingly so. But what I really, really, really want for the Bulldogs this year is to WIN THE WAC. I don't so much care about national rankings or a perfect season and a chance at a BCS bowl as much as I want them to win our conference. I would be most ecstatic if we go undefeated in conference play. Well, I'm looking forward to this year and hoping for the best-undefeated season would be a dream come true.
BY THE WAY, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU PUT TOLEDO ON THE LIST, BUT MAYBE IM TOO CONFIDENT THIS SEASON? GO TO YOUTUBE AND SEARCH FOR "TOLEDO PLAYER GET'S HAMMERED BY FRESNO STATE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCORE IN THAT GAME. ITS ARCHIVED SOMEWHERE. THX
Wisconsin which is loaded at running back. It's early enough in the season that Wisconsin's secondary may not be playing up to its potential so this has the possibility of being a very high scoring game. Shold be a lot of fun to watch.
