Every Fresno State season is like a melody in Pat Hill’s head. The problem is, his iPod is stuck on replay. Like in years past, the anybody-anywhere-anytime scheduling philosophy presented the Bulldogs with ample opportunities to score wins over BCS opponents, which they did, book-ending the regular season with wins over Cincinnati and Illinois (and sandwiching a competitive loss to Ole Miss in the middle). But like seasons past, what could have been a special year for Hill’s troops was derailed by failing to beat teams in the upper-tier of the WAC. Can Fresno finally take the next step by coupling wins over BCS teams with a conference championship?
Excitement for the coming season abounds in the valley. Not only will Bulldog Stadium be sporting brand new field turf, and not only will the team be wearing new duds as well, but 2011 ushers in the anticipated Derek Carr era. The younger brother of David, former Bulldog and number-one draft pick, arrived in Fresno as a four-star recruit. He emerged from spring camp surrounded by phrases from Pat Hill like “awesome talent” and “full trust.”
Carr will be joined in the backfield by junior tailback Robbie Rouse, who rushed for 1,129 yards last season despite missing two full games. While anything short of being the first-team all-WAC running back will be a disappointment for Rouse, every indication is he will have such a season.
The defense will need to show plenty of improvement for Fresno State to improve upon its 8-5 record from last season. The Bulldog D returns five starters from a unit that surrendered 30 points per game. Anchoring the defense will be defensive tackle Logan Harrell and a pair of returning linebackers in Kyle Knox and Travis Brown.
Once again, Fresno State’s non-conference schedule is formidable, playing road matchups against California (Candlestick Park) and Nebraska, and hosting Mississippi and Boise State all in the first six weeks. The Bulldogs will be battle tested once conference play is in full swing. The late-season matchup at Hawaii should decide the WAC title.
SCHEDULE & PREDICTIONS
Date/Time | TV | Opponent | Zach | Brett |
Sat. 09/03/11 4:00 p.m. PT | CSN Cal | California 1 | W* | W |
Sat. 09/10/11 4:00 p.m. PT | --- | at Nebraska | L | L |
Sat. 09/17/11 7:00 p.m. PT | --- | NORTH DAKOTA | W | W |
Sat. 09/24/11 2:00 p.m. PT | WSN | at Idaho | W | W |
Sat. 10/01/11 6:15 p.m. PT | ESPN2 | MISSISSIPPI | W* | L* |
Fri. 10/07/11 6:00 p.m. PT | ESPN | BOISE STATE | L | L |
Sat. 10/15/11 7:00 p.m. PT | --- | UTAH STATE | W | W |
Sat. 10/22/11 1:05 p.m. PT | WSN | at Nevada | W | W |
Sat. 11/05/11 5:00 p.m. PT | --- | LOUISIANA TECH | W | W |
Sat. 11/12/11 5:00 p.m. PT | WSN | at New Mexico State | W | W |
Sat. 11/19/11 9:00 p.m. PT | WSN | at Hawaii | W | L |
Sat. 11/26/11 5:00 p.m. PT | --- | SAN JOSE STATE | W | W |
Sat. 12/03/11 5:00 p.m. PT | CBS SN | at San Diego State | L | L |
1-Candlestick Park, San Francisco | 10-3 | 8-5 | ||
1 comment:
What is the * asterisk for, in some of the predictions?
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