2008 Fresno State Bulldogs Football Betting Preview

[Shame About Ray]

NCAA Football Betting Preview – Fresno State Bulldogs

Fresh off a surprising college baseball betting World Series Championship, Fresno State athletics are looking strong. The football program will look to keep up the good name as they are a sexy NCAA football wagering pundit pick to be ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams.



There are BCS aspirations but there a few mines on the schedule that could easily derail the Bulldogs.

Offense

Fresno State returns 10 starters on offense and are a very complete unit.

With experienced quarterback Tom Brandstater, the Bulldogs will be in good hands. The passing game has been backseated in the past but with Brandstater returning, maybe they will look to open things up a little bit more.

They have the weapons. Tight end Bear Pascoe is one of the best in the conference. Chastin West, Marlon Moore, Jason Crowley and Seyi Ajirotutu are solid targets as well.

The bread and butter for the Bulldogs has been the running game and with the top three starters returning, that likely won’t change. Ryan Matthews leads the way for the backs.

The offensive line is a veteran unit and shouldn’t have too many problems in pass protection or run blocking.

Defense

Fresno State definitely won’t be mixed up with a defensive-minded team, but in the WAC, where defenses are mediocre at best, their unit is one of the better ones.

Along the defensive line, Tyler Clutts will have to be replaced but there are three capable options. Wilson Ramos, Ikenna Ike and Chris Carter look like a trio that will be able to get at the quarterback.

The Bulldogs have to replace another stud at the second level of their defense where WAC Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Riley no longer patrols the middle. The middle linebacking position is locked down with Ben Jacobs but on the outside spots, there are a number of candidates vying for time.

The secondary returns three starters and looks to be a sound unit.

The key here is that Clutts and Riley were leaders and playmakers. The Bulldogs not only need to replace their physical skills but also their intangibles. New leaders have to step to the forefront.

Outlook

First Boise State, then Hawaii, now Fresno State? Are the Bulldogs the next WAC team to crash the BCS?

Something that helped both of the Bulldogs’ WAC-winning predecessors was the schedule, which might not be on their side so much.

The Bulldogs have only five home games and go through a tough stretch to start the season. Three of their first four games are on the road. They start at Rutgers, then return home to Wisconsin, then travel to Toledo and UCLA.

Head coach Pat Hill has already hyped the contest with Wisconsin as the biggest home game in Bulldogs’ history – hopefully they aren’t caught looking ahead in week one.

The Bulldogs also have to finish up the season with a road game at Boise State. The Bulldogs are headed for big things but BCS aspirations are nothing but sweet dreams at this point.

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