Fresno State Football: High Expectations for Pat Hill, Bulldogs In 2010

The last time expectations have been this high, current NFL players David Carr and Bernard Berrian both donned the Bulldog red, but that was back in 2001.

Nine years later, expectations are just as high with possibly more riding on this year than any other year in the program's history.

The university announced an extension for head coach Pat Hill just a few weeks ago, and fans and the university itself will be waiting to see if Hill and his players live up to their potential in 2010.

There will be familiar faces and big shoes to fill when spring drills begin, but this Bulldogs squad could have more talent than any year since the Carr and Berrian era.

Fresno State will lose All American running back Ryan Mathews to the NFL Draft as well as Lonyae Miller, Anthony Harding, and Jamal Rashad to graduation. Losing four running backs responsible for over 7,000 career rushing yards and 39 combined starts is not going to be easy to replace.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs they could have the most talented corps of running backs led by rising sophomore Robbie Rouse who has already earned the nickname "Mighty Mouse" by his teammates and fans alike.

The speedy freshman gained 479 yards on 82 carries along with four touchdowns and looks like the odds-on favorite to take over the hole left with Mathews' departure.

Behind Rouse, the Bulldogs have redshirt freshmen A.J. Ellis and Michael Harris but they could also add two incoming freshmen who could make themselves known right off the bat.

Running backs E.J. Schexnayder and Leslee Rogers have both verbally committed to Fresno State but that won't become official until national signing day takes place in February.

Until then, Hill and his coaching staff will have to count on the aforementioned three running backs, as well as redshirt freshman Justin Webber, to fill the large void at the position.

The one position that could be a battle come spring is at quarterback where incumbent Ryan Colburn could get a run for his money from Derek Carr who most say has the stronger, more accurate arm of the two.

There are some that believe Carr could be the better offensive leader and is more capable of making the passes that Colburn struggled to make at times last season, especially the deep ball.

But, for those that know Pat Hill's style, it's more likely that Colburn will be the starter when the season opens unless he proves he's incapable of holding on to it. However, if Carr does impress all throughout spring, Hill may have no choice but to hand the reigns over to the young incoming sophomore.

Another position that is losing starters to graduation is at wide receiver. Seyi Ajirotutu, Marlon Moore, Darren Newborne, and Chastin West will all be graduating. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they have a lot of depth at the position and it gives them the ability to give teams different looks.

Devon Wylie, Rashad Evans, and Jamel Hamler will all be returning next season, flanked by guys like Jevon Stallworth, Matt Lindsey, and freshmen Anthony Johnson and Taylor Stewart.

They also await three very talented receivers who have also, like Schexnayder and Rogers, verbally committed to Fresno State. Sean Alston, Victor Dean, and Jalen Saunders bring a combination of size and speed to the wide receiver position.

Bringing on guys like that with guys like Wylie, Evans, and Hamler already in place makes this wide receiving corps a definite strength for next season.

Where Fresno State will have to make a huge improvement is on the defensive side of the ball where they gave up almost 30 points per game (27.8) this year. If they ever hope to beat the Boise State's of the world, that is going to have to improve dramatically next season.

Their secondary wasn't horrible, but eight interceptions on the year isn't going to get it done. They need to make more of an impact and not allow themselves to get beat on the long balls.

Where the team will need the biggest improvement is on the defensive line. The lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the inability to keep them from running led to severe problems against teams like Boise State, Nevada, and Wyoming.

Once teams watched game film and realized that they could take advantage of that weakness, they exposed it in a big way. The Bulldogs gave up 200 or more rushing yards in seven of their thirteen games this season including 250 or more yards twice (Utah State, Boise State).

That continues to be the team's biggest weakness. Fix that and this team goes from a mediocre team with only third place expectations, to a possible conference title contender, something they haven't gotten close to since they earned a share of the title back in 1999.

Though it's too early to give a prediction, this team has the potential to be far and away better than the team that ended the 2009 season with a disappointing loss to Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl.

Next season could bring the excitement back to Bulldog Stadium and California's Central Valley.