2013-14 Football Previews – (MWC) – Bulldogs
Fresno State grabbed a share of the Mountain West Conference title in Tim DeRuyter’s first year as head coach. DeRuyter certainly walked into a nice spot since Pat Hill did a great job building up this program, but not many people expected the Bulldogs to be as good as they were last year.
Mountain West 2013 College Football Previews: Fresno State Bulldogs (Team Link)
Head Coach: Tim DeRuyter
2012 Record: 9-4
Fresno State Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship: +2,000 (Part of Field)
Fresno State Gambling Odds to win Mountain West Conference: +240
In fact, most thought the Bulldogs big chance at a run was in 2013. This could easily be the year for Fresno State.
It was a good season for Fresno State last year, but it definitely didn’t end on a positive note. The Bulldogs were throttled 43-10 by SMU in the Hawaii Bowl. Fresno State was a double-digit favorite in that one and that loss left a bad taste in this team’s mouth.
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The Bulldogs have tons of talent coming back in 2013, and this team is capable of accomplishing some very big things.
Team Strengths:
Derek Carr, the younger brother of David Carr, is an amazing quarterback for this Bulldogs program. Carr has a big arm and makes very good decisions with the football. It’s hard to imagine many teams slowing Fresno State down this year, especially since Carr has some amazing weapons on the outside.
Davante Adams, Josh Harper, and Isaiah Burse are all high end wide outs for the Bulldogs. This team is going to throw for a ton of yards this year.
Fresno State has an elite pass rush that should be among the best in the nation. This defense always gets after the quarterback well, and they have the personnel to be very dangerous this year. Tyeler Davison is a very good pass rusher from the defensive tackle spot, and Andy Jennings is quick from his defensive end position.
The Bulldogs have an ultra-talented secondary. L.J. Jones and Sean Alston give the team the best duo of cornerbacks in the conference. Safety Derron Smith is the leader of this defense. Opponents should have trouble moving it through the air against the Bulldogs.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
The glaring weakness in this Fresno State team is the question mark at the running back spot. Robbie Rouse was a great back for this team, but he is no longer around. Derek Carr and the passing game are very good, but the Bulldogs will definitely need someone to step up and move the ball on the ground sometimes against the best defenses on their schedule.
Special teams cost the Bulldogs a win against Tulsa last year, and Fresno State will have problems with their special teams units again this season. The kick coverage teams aren’t very good, and the Bulldogs don’t have a reliable placekicker.
2013-2014 Fresno State Football Prediction: 11-2
Fresno State is my pick to win the Mountain West Conference this year. The Bulldogs definitely have the most talented team in the conference on paper. They still need to get over the hump that is Boise State, but hosting them on a Friday night nationally televised game definitely gives Fresno State the edge.
I expect huge things out of Derek Carr and this offense. The defense is much better than most people realize. Don’t be stunned if Fresno State flirts with a BCS bowl this year.
I like the value on Fresno State to win the Mountain West at +240. This should be a great year for the Bulldogs!
2013 Bulldogs Schedule
8/29/13 10:30 PM ET RUTG
9/7/13 10:00 PM ET CP
9/14/13 2:00 PM ET @COLO
9/20/13 9:00 PM ET BSU
9/28/13 11:59 PM ET @HAW
10/5/13 TBD @IDHO
10/19/13 10:00 PM ET UNLV
10/26/13 TBD @SDSU
11/2/13 7:00 PM ET NEV
11/9/13 3:00 PM ET @WYO
11/23/13 7:00 PM ET UNM
11/29/13 3:30 PM ET @SJSU
