Fresno State 2008 College Football Picks & Predictions
August 26, 2008
After 11 season as Fresno State’s head football coach, Pat Hill may have his best group of players in place heading into the 2008 season. His last league title was in 1999, but the Bulldogs are well on their way to another WAC Championship this season. Fresno State finished 9-4 last season, winning three straight games to end the year including a 40-28 victory over Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl. With 10 starters on offense returning, and six solid returnees on defense, let’s see if the Bulldogs can reach their ultimate goal in a WAC title this year. The Info Plays team releases their 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs football predictions and season preview here.
Offense:
Coach Pat Hill welcomes back 10 starters on offense, and that doesn’t include Clifton Smith and Ryan Mathews, the top two ball carriers last season. Senior QB Tom Brandstater has perfected his third down throws, as the Bulldogs usually run on first and second downs. It’s hard to argue with this system. Mathews rushed for 866 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, while Smith dished in 625 yards and five scores. Starting tailback Lonyae Miller rushed for seven TD’s on 609 yards. If you do the math, that’s 2,100 yards and 26 touchdowns combined.
This trio runs behind a solid offensive line to keep the pressure off of Brandstater, who threw for 2,654 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. The key is Brandstater’s ability to avoid the big mistake, throwing just five interceptions a year ago. He’s just asked to be efficient in Hill’s offense. Brandstater’s favorite targets include junior Marlon Moore, who caught 48 balls last year and displayed great run-after-catch skills. Junior Seyi Ajirotutu showed solid potential in the spring to compliment Moore on the other side. The surest thing in the passing game is veteran tight end Bear Pascoe, who has good run-blocking skills as well.
Defense:
Six starters return on defense, but it’s yet to be determined how good this unit will be without linebacker Marcus Riley, the 2007 WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Lineman Jon Monga figures to be the biggest difference-maker. He’s the top returning sack man in the league with seven, and he had 30 total tackles last season, 11 of which went for a loss.
Middle linebacker Ben Jacobs is back as well. With Riley at his side, the sophomore spent his first year with the program wreaking havoc and recording 81 tackles. The secondary must improve greatly. The ‘07 unit managed just four interceptions, worst in the league. Fresno State’s overall pass defense was third in the WAC, but Hill wants more game-changing plays, and he’s counting on junior strong safety Moses Harris to set the tone. Hill was happy with spring drills on defense, stating that this unit was much more aggressive.
Fresno State Football Predictions at Info Plays: 1st in the WAC
After watching Boise State and Hawaii secure BCS bids in the past two years, you can bet Fresno State is expecting big things this season. Given the schedule, Hill might not be able to get the Bulldogs a BCS bid, but he does have a good shot at securing only his second WAC Championship since joining the football program a dozen years ago.
See if this team can live up to their “Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere” slogan Fresno State fans have become accustomed to hearing in 2008.
WAC Wins Expected in ‘08: HAWAII, IDAHO, at Utah State, at Louisiana Tech, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO STATE, at San Jose State
Potential Scares/Losses: at Boise State
