Fresno State Football: Glaring Questions Plague 2009 Squad

Through four games this season, Fresno State seems to have more questions than answers. Is Ryan Colburn really the answer at quarterback? Will Bulldog fans see freshman Derek Carr before the season is out and how long will Pat Hill be the head coach at Fresno State?

These questions and who he picked between LSU and Florida were addressed with Paul Loeffler, the voice of the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Todd Kaufmann: Through the first four games of the 2009 season, how do you sum up this team so far?

Paul Loeffler: That's a tough one. I think the team still has a solid mentality, good leadership, and all the components required for a strong finish. It's so natural to say, "What if..." with the season so far. The Dogs were close to some really big wins and were just a play or two away three weeks in a row. I think their best days are ahead, and I think they're capable of winning every game left on their schedule.

Todd Kaufmann: Ryan Mathews has been nothing short of spectacular for Fresno State, leading the nation in rushing after their game against Cincinnati, but he
has gotten absolutely no national respect. Would you call him the most
underrated running back in college football?

Paul Loeffler: I don't know if he's the most underrated, but he is every bit as dangerous as some of the backs who get a little more publicity. Assuming he stays healthy, he will continue to put up big numbers, and should have a real good shot of leading the nation in rushing and setting a school record in the process. If he goes over 100 yards against Hawaii, which I expect him to do, he'll tie the school record Wendell Mathis set for consecutive 100-yard games with five. It's hard to find a weakness in his game right now, and he's unselfish to boot.

Todd Kaufmann: Another running back that Bulldog fans have gotten a chance to see is freshman Robbie Rouse. Is he another Ryan Mathews or do you think he has the
potential to be even better?

Paul Loeffler: The Mighty Mouse vs. Mathews? It's hard to compare them because they are so different. Mathews leads the nation in big plays (50+ yards), but Rouse is even more adept than Mathews at making something out of nothing. He has that elusive ability that you don't see too often, but can he take the physical pounding that Mathews took with 38 carries against Cincinnati? I guess we don't know that answer yet. I think Rouse will go down as one of the all-time fan favorites in Bulldogland because of that adrenaline you feel when he gets the ball. You never know what he'll do to surprise you next.

Todd Kaufmann: There's been a lot of frustration with quarterback Ryan Colburn through the last three games. Do you think head coach Pat Hill has him on a short
leash and do you think there's a chance we'll see freshman Derek Carr before
the season is over?

Paul Loeffler: I think we will see Derek Carr, but I don't think that when it happens it will necessarily be an indictment of Colburn. Despite some glaring mistakes in key moments, Ryan has played well. He has moved the team down the field, kept drives alive with big plays on third down, and shown the grit and leadership you want in a QB. He's started four games in his career, and three were against teams now in the Top 25. Mistakes happen, and Derek Carr will tell you his brother had some rough moments in his first season as a starter at Fresno State. Derek will get his chance, and who knows, we may even see all three QBs play against Hawaii.

Todd Kaufmann: Speaking of coach Hill, you know as well as I do that fans are frustrated with the lack of an outright WAC title since he took over in 1996. Do you
expect Hill to be the head coach at Fresno State through the rest of his
contract or will there be a time where the university will want to go in a
different direction?

Paul Loeffler: Hill will be the head coach through the rest of his contract, and if this team and the 2010 team perform to their potential, I think he'll be offered an extension.

Todd Kaufmann: Last question...Florida or LSU, who are you picking?

Paul Loeffler: If Tebow is indeed playing, I have to go with the Gators.

Big thanks to Paul Loeffler, voice of the Fresno State Bulldogs. Paul is not only the voice of the Fresno State football team, but also the baseball team who made an improbable run to a National Championship in 2008. He's the author of "Underdogs to Wonderdogs: Fresno State's Road to Omaha and the College World Series Championship."

Click here to visit the website and order your copy of the book.