[jwplayer AgsbDRng-sNi3MVSU]
Fresno State vs. UNLV: Keys For A Bulldogs Victory
Bulldogs are heavy favorites, but they have to do more than just show up.
Fresno State should roll to victory
Contact/Follow @MWCwire
The Fresno State Bulldogs are nationally ranked once again. For the first time this season, and the first time since 2013, the Bulldogs appeared in the AP top 25, sliding in at 20th. Then on Tuesday, the first set of College Football Playoff rankings came out this season, and the Bulldogs were 23rd.
Not only did they get attention for their ranking, but Jamire Jordan’s 108-yard kick six was all over ESPN this week. The Bulldogs are having another great year under Jeff Tedford, who has turned this program around in record fashion. With a month left until the conference championship game, the Dogs just need to keep winning and that game should be at Bulldog Stadium. Before we jump too far ahead, let’s see how the Bulldogs can defeat UNLV on Saturday.
Don’t Underestimate UNLV
Yes, UNLV is 2-6 on the year, they gave up over 500 yards of offense last week to San Jose State, and they are last and winless in the Mountain West conference.
This game shouldn’t be a challenge in any form, but the Bulldogs can not play down to their opponent, especially after being nationally ranked this past week. The Bulldogs have won six straight, and the Rebels have lost five straight, so both of those streaks should continue to grow after Saturday’s matchup. If they can keep Tyleek Collins quiet after his four-touchdown, 170-yard performance last weekend, the rest should come easily.
Ride the Hot Hands
Marcus McMaryion had four touchdowns against Hawaii and is probably drooling all week about this matchup. The Spartans from San Jose State had over 500 yards of offense against UNLV. Imagine what the Bulldogs can do against this Rebels defense, especially with the way KeeSean Johnson and Ronnie Rivers are playing.
Johnson became the all-time receptions leader for Fresno State, passing Davante Adams on Saturday to break the record. Johnson has at least six catches in every game this season and has 100 yards or more in half of this year’s games as well. Let’s not forget about Ronnie Rivers, who ran wild against Hawaii on homecoming weekend. Rivers had 125 yards on 11 carries, including a 76-yard touchdown run. Fresno State shouldn’t have a problem scoring 50 points for the second week in a row.
[lawrence-related id=10502]
Defense
This is nothing new for Fresno State this season: defense. There’s not much that we can say that we haven’t heard this year. Dogs have now gone 19 straight games giving up less than 30 points, they are tied for fourth in points per game at 13.5, and they have given up only 12 touchdowns through eight games in 2018.
The Bulldogs are also tied for 1st in interceptions with 14, and this defense is firing on all cylinders. If they can keep playing at an elite level like this, there’s going to be some serious talk about this team’s spot in the Playoff rankings.
Prediction and Analysis
A 2-6 UNLV team against a nationally ranked Fresno State team doesn’t scream close game in any way. The Dogs are favored by 25 as of Wednesday evening, and UNLV just lost to San Jose State, who hadn’t won a game all of 2018 until that point.
The Dogs should steamroll the Rebels, as head coach Tony Sanchez is on the hottest seat in the conference. McMaryion throws four touchdowns again, Rivers scores another, and the defense and special teams combine for a pair of touchdowns. The Bulldogs will win and get a top 20 ranking in next week’s CFP rankings.
Fresno State 62, UNLV 9
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]