Fresno State kicks off here inside Bulldog Stadium against Utah State in a couple minutes on a beautiful October day. The air is clear, you can even get a glimpse of Mt. Goddard from the press box.
The key for today's game of course will once again be how the Aggies do against the Bulldogs' rush offense, which features the nation's leading rusher, running back Ryan Mathews (1,131 yards, nine touchdowns).
The Aggies were going to struggle in the first place, but they face an even tougher challenge without starting linebacker Paul Igboeli. The senior has started 38 games in his career but an ankle injury will hold him out, according to Utah State team spokesman Zach Fisher. Senior safety James Brindley (28-game starter, hamstring injury) and senior CB Kejon Murphy (Edison High grad, 23-game starter, concussion) both "should play," said Fisher. Brindley, though, is not listed as a starter right now.
LB Kyle Gallagher and S Walter McClenton will start in their places.
Another question for today is how Bulldogs QB Ryan Colburn will bounce back after a rough NMSU game last week. Colburn has had ups and downs this season, his first as a starter. The junior will certainly be tested today, in the sense that the Aggies will stack the box and pressure him to throw. We'll see what he's got.
The Bulldogs defense will face a challenge in QB Diondre Borel and RB Robert Turbin. Borel is a run and pass threat and Turbin is the second-leading rusher in the WAC. So this game may rest on the defense and on Colburn.
The Bulldogs are favored to win by 17. I'm picking them to win 34-20. With the Bulldogs' running game, Utah State's inability to stop the run and their injuries on defense, the Bulldogs should be able to win this one.
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