Fresno State Football: Can Bulldogs compete for Mountain West title in 2019?
By Zach Bigalke
How will Fresno State fare in 2019?
| WEEK | DATE | SCHOOL | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Aug. 31, 2019 | Fresno State | @ USC |
| 2 | Sep. 7, 2019 | Fresno State | vs. Minnesota |
| 3 | Sep. 14, 2019 | BYE | WEEK |
| 4 | Sep. 21, 2019 | Fresno State | vs. FCS Sacramento State |
| 5 | Sep. 28, 2019 | Fresno State | @ New Mexico State |
| 6 | Oct. 5, 2019 | BYE | WEEK |
| 7 | Oct. 12, 2019 | Fresno State | @ Air Force |
| 8 | Oct. 18, 2019 (FRI) | Fresno State | vs. UNLV |
| 9 | Oct. 26, 2019 | Fresno State | vs. Colorado State |
| 10 | Nov. 2, 2019 | Fresno State | @ Hawaii |
| 11 | Nov. 9, 2019 | Fresno State | vs. Utah State |
| 12 | Nov. 15, 2019 (FRI) | Fresno State | @ San Diego State |
| 13 | Nov. 23, 2019 | Fresno State | vs. Nevada |
| 14 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Fresno State | @ San Jose State |
Fresno State front-loaded their schedule in a big way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sport. The Bulldogs open the year against USC at the Coliseum, hoping to catch the Trojans off-guard in a year where Clay Helton is coaching for his job. A week later, Minnesota comes to the Central Valley for a return game that the Bulldogs will hope to win after falling in a tight 21-14 finish in Minneapolis last year.
In conference play, Fresno State avoids Boise State in the regular season. If they are to play for the Milk Can this season, it will have to happen in the MWC championship game. The Bulldogs also benefit from getting Utah State and Colorado State at home in interdivisional play.
Where their luck was less than impeccable came in divisional scheduling. The Bulldogs have to travel to both Honolulu and San Diego to face their two biggest competitors for the MWC West crown. Those two November contests will make or break this season for Jeff Tedford’s squad.
What’s next for Fresno State?
Everything is focused on the August 31 showdown with the Trojans in Los Angeles. After winning the 1992 Freedom Bowl in Anaheim against USC, Fresno State has lost three straight in the 21st century against the Pac-12 powerhouse. This year, more than ever, Southern Cal looks vulnerable to an upset against a Group of Five foe. Fresno State will need to capitalize on that vulnerability if they hope to set themselves up for a potential New Year’s Six run.
Prediction: 8-4, 5-3 Mountain West
Fresno State is going to reach October at 3-1 in the standings. The Bulldogs are likely to knock off one of their two Power Five opponents, though toppling both is going to be a tall order as they break in new players across the roster. FCS Sacramento State and New Mexico State should pose little threat to the strong non-conference start.
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Conference play is where things are going to get tougher for Fresno State. It would not be surprising to see the Bulldogs get through October unbeaten in the league, but once November rolls around the stakes get much higher. A three-game swing against Hawaii, Utah State, and San Diego State is unlikely to be kind to the Bulldogs as they finish the regular season out of the MWC championship game for the first time in three years.