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WAC Preview: Fresno State Bulldogs
By Kevan Lee | July 11, 2008
The Fresno State Bulldogs were surprising overachievers a season ago - normally the Bulldogs go into a season with tremendous amounts of hype only to fizzle out when it matters most (and usually against subpar WAC teams). Last year, though, expectations were low after a disastrous 4-8 2006 season and injuries to two of their best players. Go figure, then, that Fresno exceeded expectations by finishing 9-4 and rolling over Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl.
It remains to be seen whether the 2008 preseason hype the Bulldogs are getting will prove to be a boom or bust for a team that has let down on many occasions. Certainly, Fresno State looks good on paper. Just as certain, there are a number of strong fantasy players that could have very productive seasons. Yet traditionally, a Bulldogs team that has lofty aspirations usually ends up failing somewhere along the line and never living up to expectations. David Carr (right) knows what I mean.
The offense is the reason why this year’s Fresno team is getting so much attention. Ten starters return from a season ago, and last year’s offense seemed to get better and better as the weeks went on.
Quarterback Tom Brandstater is expected to have a breakout season. The senior-to-be has improved each year under center, and he is surrounded by enough talent to be highly successful. Brandstater has not done a whole lot to earn this confidence. The Fresno State offense threw for a little more than 200 yards per game last year. Brandstater only had 15 passing touchdowns in 2007 (good for sixth in the WAC). Yes, he will be more experienced. Yes, he has a new offensive coordinator in QB guru Doug Nussmeier . But no, Brandstater has yet to fulfill his potential, and he isn’t worth drafting in a fantasy football league until he starts paying dividends on the field.
More of a sure thing might be RB Ryan Mathews . The leading rusher from last season and former USC recruit, Mathews should get the majority of the carries this fall now that his main competition for touches, Clifton Smith , has graduated. Mathews had 866 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, and he’ll be running behind a line that returns four of five starters and nine out of ten overall.
Mathews’ greatest drawback might be his backfield mates stealing goalline touches . Lonyae Miller (609 yards, seven touchdowns) could poach some carries from Mathews, and fullback Anthony Harding (four touchdowns in 2007).
One of Fresno State’s biggest losses a season ago was that of WR Chastin West . The junior is back healthy this year, and he will give Brandstater a great option out wide.
Even so, West might be number two to last year’s leading receiver Marlon Moore . A legitimate deep threat, Moore had 694 yards and five touchdowns a season ago.
Both wide receivers have been overshadowed this summer by the hype surrounding tight end Bear Pascoe , a first-team All-WAC selection from last year. Pascoe had 553 yards and four touchdowns last year, despite missing some time with injuries. Pascoe might be the best fantasy tight end option in the WAC thanks to the Bulldogs’ dependence on the tight end in the red zone and Pascoe’s ability to find room to work in opposing team’s secondaries.
Starters are back at nearly every position at Fresno State…except for kicker. There, the Bulldogs are breaking in a redshirt freshman in Kevin Goessling . In the spring game, Goessling showed good distance, but he may lack the consistency to be a dependable fantasy scorer in a potentially high-scoring Fresno State offense. One thing he’ll be consistent at is making close games interesting down the stretch.
The biggest question mark for the Bulldogs is their defensive front seven. They lost the WAC’s Defensive Player of the Year OLB Marcus Riley , and they do not have a clear-cut replacement for him. The defensive line, too, may struggle to create pressure in the backfield.
Hopefully, the secondary will take up the slack for the line. SS Moses Harris might be one of the WAC’s best defensive players, and his secondary mates are a team strength. The Bulldogs did not force many turnovers last season, so the secondary will need to make an impact to help reverse that trend in 2008.
Conclusion
There is a lot to love about this Fresno State team. Fantasy owners have a bevy of choices between Pascoe, Matthews, Marlon, West, and Brandstater. The offensive line should help the skill players have big seasons. The defense, with an improved secondary, should force more turnovers.
The only worry for Pat Hill and his players might be all the attention they’re getting. The next time they live up to expectations will be the first time, so in order to have a magical season, they will need to do things they have never done before. In the meantime, fantasy owners should enjoy the fruits of experience and improvement. Let the standings sort themselves out.
Kevan Lee runs a website for Boise State football called One Bronco Nation Under God (OBNUG). For the best Bronco news, humor, and commentary, visit www.obnug.com .
Topics: College Football, Kevan Lee, Preview, WAC |
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