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2009 Fresno State Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

fresno 61809 The 2008 season was a major disappointment for a Fresno State team that was expected to compete with Boise State for the WAC championship. Still, coach Pat Hill managed to lead his team to a 9th bowl appearance in 12 seasons with the program. Find out if I’ve got the Bulldogs bowling again in this 2009 college football betting preview. Bet the WAC at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

Offense – The success of the offense will largely depend on how well the quarterback position performs. Ryan Colburn, Ebahn Feathers, and David Carr’s younger brother Derek are all battling it out for the starting spot. Colburn seems to have the edge because of how well he knows the system having spent two seasons backing up Tom Brandstater. Feathers’ athleticism wows, particularly his 4.4 speed, but he is a better runner than passer at this point. Carr has the pedigree and a strong accurate arm, but it’s hard to think coach Pat Hill would go with a freshman. Carr appears to be the QB of the future, but the job is still up for grabs in 2009.

The running game will be critical, especially early on when the QB’s are maturing. Both Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding return after surpassing the 800-yard mark last season, but it was Ryan Matthews getting most of the first-team snaps this spring. Matthews has had trouble staying healthy, missing much of last season with a foot injury, but he could be an exciting part of the offense if he is able to stay on the field. The junior tailback has a nose for the end zone and, not surprisingly, Fresno State is 12-2 when he scores a touchdown.

A veteran unit of wide receivers, led by Seyi Ajirotutu, should help speed up the learning process of the QB’s as well. Ajirotutu caught 47 passes for 795 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Bulldogs lost both of their tackles up front, but both guards and center remain, including 2nd-team All-WAC selection Andrew Jackson. At left guard, he will make most of the running room for the Bulldogs this season.

Defense – The Bulldog defense was manhandled at the line scrimmage in 2008, giving up a ridiculous 210.0 yards per game on the ground (108th nationally). That can’t happen again if this team hopes to better its 7-6 record. The team is counting on Cornell Banks and Wilson Ramos to do the job on the interior. Defensive end Chris Carter is coming off an 85-tackle, 3.5-sack season that earned him 2nd-Team All-WAC honors. He’ll hold down the fort on the outside with either Kenny Borg or juco transfer Donnie Pritchett opposite him.

The linebacker unit returns all three starters and is led by middle linebacker Ben Jacobs. Jacobs was a 2nd-Team All-WAC performer last season, leading the team with 113 tackles. Fellow 2nd-Team All-WAC selection, strong safety Moses Harris, leads the secondary.

Prediction: 4th WAC – The critics aren’t expecting much from the Dogs in 2009 following a season in which they underachieved. Coach Hill would like nothing more than to lead his team to a 10th bowl game in 13 seasons to shut some of those critics up. That is entirely possible if the Bulldogs can survive a tough September with games against Wisconsin, Boise State, and Cincinnati. I have faith in them. Our readers get a special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

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