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Fresno State Football: Are Bulldogs ready for a breakout season?

By Michael Hanich

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 07: Chris Gaston #2 of the Fresno State Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after an interception against the UNLV Rebels during the second half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fresno State won 40-27. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 07: Chris Gaston #2 of the Fresno State Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after an interception against the UNLV Rebels during the second half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fresno State won 40-27. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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Fresno State football comes into the 2021 College Football season with a huge preseason hype, but a brutal non-conference and MWC schedule.

Of all the teams in the Mountain West Conference, there wasn’t a team impacted from COVID-19 more than Fresno State football. From March 12th to September 25th, the Bulldogs did not have in-person football activities or events. There was no offseason for the Bulldogs to prepare for the 2020 College Football season.

This past season was especially tough for the first-year head coach of the Bulldogs in Kalen DeBoer. The Bulldogs were able to be on the practice field and workout rooms together on September 25th. They had less than a month to prepare for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. After that 34-19 loss to the Rainbow Warriors, the Bulldogs were able to find some rhythm and success on the field.

Fresno State football won three games in a row before contact tracing forced them to cancel games with San Jose State and San Diego State. Despite finishing the season with losses, the Bulldogs were able to gather their momentum and develop themselves into a program that showed grit.

This 2021 College Football season, the Bulldogs look to be a surprising factor in the Mountain West Conference and the West Divisional title. The Bulldogs will be playing in a tough West Division with five teams looking to go to a postseason bowl game. The Bulldogs are looking to get to a postseason bowl game for the first time since 2018.

The Bulldogs have a lot of key starters returning on both sides of the ball. They could also have an explosive offense and a stout defense. They will need to use this remaining offseason efficiently to get back to a bowl game and compete for the West Divisional title.

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