The Fresno State Bulldogs had an impressive 11-2 season last year and that includes beating Utah State in the MWC Title game. The Las Vegas Bowl was not kind to the as they lost by 25 points to USC. This year QB Derek Carr is gone, but this team still rates as the favorite to represent the West Division in the MWC Title game. Preview & Schedule are below.
Tim DeRuyter has done a fine job recruiting here and will need some of that young talent to step up, especially on the offensive side of the ball where super QB Derek Carr is gone, along with a 1718 and a 1026 yard receiver from last year. Senior Brandon Connette looks to take of the starting role and was a #69 QB when he came out of HS. Josh Harper is still here after racking up 1011 yards receiving and 13 TDs last year and he will be joined by JR Justin Johnson and SR Greg Watson, who are both very athletic. The running game is in good hand with Josh Quezada and Marteze Waller back after the pair combined for 1453 yards and 13 TDs last year. This offense is more about the pass, but they will do more than enough to keep defenses honest. The OL is big and strong as 3 starters back, but still may not be as good as last year’s group that allowed just 11 sacks in 675 pass attempts. The Bulldogs allowed 30.3 ppg last year, but with 8 starters back they should be much improved this year. The DL is the weakest part of the defense, but it does have 2 time 1st team all MWC Tyeler Davison on it. The LB is very strong with all 4 starters back including Ejiro Ederaine and Donovan Lewis, after the pair combined for 15 sacks, 10.5 more TFL and 6 PBUs last year. As solid as the LB Corps is, the secondary is better with 3 starters back including Derron Smith, who is a 2 time all MWC 1st team selection and led the MWC last year with 7 INTs.
The Bulldogs lost allot of talent on offense, but some players are ready to step and do the job. There will be big drop at the QB slot and that’s a big reason why I don’t see them average 40+ ppg this year. The defense had its struggles last year, but will be much improved with a very stout back 7 and if the front wall can get some pressure on opposing QBs then this defense could be one of the best in the league. Road games vs USC, Utah and a home game vs Nebraska kickoff their schedule, but after that it does get easier. They do have road games vs Boise state and Nevada, but they the home slate is very easy and they get UNLV and New Mexico on the road, which are very winnable. I see this team once again in the MWC title game, but reaching double digit in wins may be tough. KEY TREND: 10-1 ATS as non-conference road dogs of more than 5.
2014 Fresno State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at USC
Sep. 6 at Utah
Sep. 13 Nebraska
Sep. 20 Southern Utah
Sep. 26 at New Mexico
Oct. 3 San Diego State
Oct. 11 at UNLV
Oct. 17 at Boise State
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 Wyoming
Nov. 8 San Jose State
Nov. 12 Kent State
Nov. 22 at Nevada
Nov. 29 Hawaii
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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