Fresno State-Hawaii Preview: WAC Rivalry Takes On Lackluster New Look

Fresno State-Hawaii, in recent years, has been a rivalry where both teams were out for blood. It was a rivalry where neither team cared about the other, with both teams looking to run up the score and prove a point.

This season looks to be far and away different than years past, with both teams going in different directions.

After two straight wins, Hawaii has since dropped two straight to UNLV (34-33) and Louisiana Tech (27-6), also losing senior quarterback Greg Alexander for the season due to a knee injury he suffered last week.

As for Fresno State, after picking up a season-opening win at home against UC Davis, the Bulldogs have dropped three straight to Wisconsin, Boise State, and Cincinnati. All three games were within reach and could have gone the other way.

With both teams facing glaring questions, they will face off at Aloha Stadium this weekend in a WAC rivalry that won't quite have the same luster as in years past.

But make no mistake about it, both are out to pick up a much needed conference win.

Fresno State will win if...

They ride Ryan Mathews all game long. The nation's third-leading rusher is averaging 148 yards per game, including 232 yards against conference rival Boise State. Fresno State will need to use Mathews, as well as speedy freshman running back Robbie Rouse, to pound Hawaii's defense that's giving up 183 rushing yards per game.

The Bulldog defensive line can put and keep pressure on Hawaii's quarterback, who's yet to be decided by the team. The decision is down to junior college transfer Bryant Moniz or sophomore Shane Austin.

Ryan Colburn can be accurate with his passes. The Fresno State quarterback has had trouble in past weeks in under-throwing his receivers. If Fresno State can set up its passing game with a heavy dose of Mathews and Rouse, it should open up the field for Colburn to make some big plays.

The Bulldogs limit their penalties. A 10-yard penalty here and a five-yard penalty there have killed their drives or kept an opposing team's drive going. They need to eliminate the penalties and stay focused on both sides of the ball.

Fresno State will lose if...

Colburn continues to make the same mistakes that have cost the Bulldogs in their last three games. Interceptions, bad passes, and bad judgment with the football. He seems to do fine in the first half, but has thrown too many ill-timed interceptions in key moments of the game.

If the Bulldogs don't establish their running game early and often on the Hawaii defense. If the Bulldogs become pass happy, it's going to lead to too many mistakes and allow Hawaii to dictate the pace of the game.

Special teams continue to break down. The Bulldogs did an awful job on kick returns against Boise State, allowing the Broncos good field position on a few of their drives. They need to fix that problem and make sure they get coverage down field on any kick or punt returns.

Keep pressure on Hawaii's quarterback. Though a decision hasn't been made by Hawaii, they will have a quarterback who won't have any game experience. Take advantage of that and force him to make off balance throws.

My prediction...

Since Hawaii is without starting quarterback Greg Alexander, who had already passed for 1,433 yards and nine touchdowns through four games, it definitely gives Fresno State the edge offensively.

I think the Bulldogs handle this one easily and get a big game out of running back Ryan Mathews.

Fresno State 42, Hawaii 17