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This has to be the year it all comes together as this could be the deepest team Pat Hill has ever assembled. There are concerns at receiver and linebacker, but the worries are over inexperience, not talent. The offensive line should pave the way for a Dwayne Wright and the excellent group of running backs, while the defensive line and secondary should be among the best, if not the best, in the WAC. Then again, Fresno State has had talent before.
Last year's team had the 1-2 receiving punch of Bernard Berrian and Marque Davis, yet wasn't able to do too much through the air. The defense was decent, but it got lit up by Hawaii for 55 points and Boise State for 31 in the pivotal home game. This is a program that thrives on being the underdog and usually disappoints when it's supposed to win. Hill has built a successful team, now the Bulldogs have to get it used to handling the expectations.
The Schedule: Fresno State prides itself on being able to hang with the big boys in their houses, and there are two tough early tests going on the road to face Washington and Kansas State. Hawaii and Nevada have to come to Fresno, but road trips to Louisiana Tech, Boise State and Rice should be tough tests in the path to a WAC title.
Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Dwayne Wright. With power and quickness, Wright became a star last year rushing for 1,038 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers would go through the roof this season if he didn't have to split carries and time with three other good backs.
Best Defensive Player: Junior SS James Sanders. He should be in the hunt for the WAC Defensive Player of the Year as a highlight reel hitter and all-around fantastic defensive back leading the Bulldogs with 93 tackles to go along with 8.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two sacks.
Key player to a successful season: With top two receivers Bernard Berrian and Marque Davis gone, it's going to be up to a good group of young playmakers to try and keep the offense going. It was a disappointing corps last year, so it shouldn't be too hard to pick up the slack. Junior Jermaine Jamison will have help, but he's the one who'll have to emerge as the go-to guy.
The season will be a success if ... Fresno State wins the WAC. For a WAC team this good, it's been a long drought between titles seeing Boise State own the league over the last few years. This team is more than nasty enough to run the WAC table.
Key game: Oct. 23 at Boise State. Three straight losses to the boys of the blue field have soured three straight successful seasons. This is the year Fresno State has to end the streak or else it'll prove just how much better overall the Bronco program is.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Fourth quarter scoring: Fresno State 101 - Opponents 61
- Fourth down conversions: Fresno State 4 of 11 (36%) - Opponents 4 of 22 (18%)
- Average yards per pass: Opponents 6.4 - Fresno State 5.7
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