Bulldog Bounce Q&A on Boise State vs. Fresno State
by Kevan Lee on Sep 17, 2009 7:11 AM PDT
in Boise State football
27 comments
If you really want the inside scoop on Fresno State, you'll have to ask a Fresno fan - preferably a Fresno fan not wearing a David Carr jersey.
The gang at Bulldog Bounce, Fresno's preeminent Blogspot blog, did the honors. I will be returning the favor later today or tomorrow. Visit the Bounce for tons of good Fresno info, as well as some solid previews of Friday's game.
Check out the BB interview after the jump, featuring a statement I'm sure Bronco fans will love (can you find it?).
What is the single weakest position on your team?
Secondary. The starting unit is talented, and safeties are deep, but corner depth is a concern. A.J. Jefferson is probably more talented than any corner in the WAC (besides maybe Kyle Wilson), but he hasn't lived up to the potential yet. This being his senior year, he'll make the NFL on kick return talent alone, but excelling on defense can set him apart and boost him into the Richard Marshall, Marcus McCauley realm for talented 'Dogs corners.
Who is the most important player on your offense?
QB Ryan Colburn. We know what to expect from all the other skill position talent surrounding Colburn, but what was lacking the past three years was a QB who could step up and take over a game and be a game-changer. It's too early to say for sure whether Colburn is that, but signs from the Wisconsin game point to yes. And that has the Red Wave excited.
Which would you rather have: Ryan Colburn throw for 300 yards or Ryan Mathews run for 100? Why?
Ryan Mathews run for 100. If Mathews does that, it means the 'Dogs are finally having success on the ground against Boise State, which means Fresno State will probably be leading or close to it. Colburn doesn't have to throw for 300 yards for the 'Dogs to win, but the running game has to have an impact. That said, even if Mathews doesn't reach 100 yards, Miller, Harding, or Rouse might. The combination of those guys is what's important.
Do you miss Tom Brandstater?
No. No offense to Tommy B., he was a heck of a Bulldog with his toughness and effort, but just not one of the better QBs under Pat Hill. The offense was limited under him, and it's a shame a change wasn't made earlier -- if for no other reason than seeing what the guy behind him the past two years (Colburn) was capable of.
How do you see the Fresno offensive line doing against Boise State's defensive line?
A week ago, I would have said this is the biggest question mark. But the O-line has wowed with its pass blocking, despite that looking like a concern in fall camp. The run blocking has been very strong also, but the unit matches up better with big, bulky defenders like Wisconsin's. The quicker defensive linemen and linebackers are what can cause this group problems.
Is MLB Ben Jacobs as good as advertised?
A former 'Dog All-WAC defender once told us, when Jacobs was a freshman, that he'd develop into an All-American by his senior year. Because of his lack of speed relative to the nation's best linebackers, that might not happen, but Jacobs is as good as there is at the position in the WAC and has become more aggressive, leaner, and a tad quicker.
What has surprised you about the Fresno State defense this fall?
This is the third straight year there's been talk of bringing back the Bulldog Football mentality, which is hard-hitting, punch-mouth football. We saw signs it was back in fall camp, but we had to see it in games to believe it. If it's there on Friday, we'll be completely sold on the idea. It takes all 11 guys on the field selling out to that philosophy to carry it out, with Ben Jacobs, Chris Carter and Lorne Bell leading the way. Unfortunately for the 'Dogs, the team's hardest hitter (Bell) is out with an injury Friday.
What strategies might the Bulldogs employ to slow down the Boise State passing game?
Fresno State will be more concerned about executing properly what it always tries to do on defense than scheming particularly for Boise State. The passion and intensity has to be there, and guys have to stick to assignments rather than trying to make the big play on their own and getting out of position.
How do you feel about having Pat Hill on your sideline in a close game. Do you think Hill is better than Chris Petersen, worse, or about the same?
Xs and Os, Petersen is better. That's hard to argue right now. Personality-wise, vision-wise and marketing-wise, Hill's a master. He personifies the Fresno and Central Valley chip-on-the-shoulder attitude like no one else in college football can. That might not be a perfect fit for every program, but it definitely is for ours.
I've felt a pessimistic vibe coming from Fresno fans this year. Do Fresno fans believe that the Bulldogs can win on Friday? Are they resigned to losing?
Depends who you ask. There is a wide spectrum of opinions in the fan base -- some way off base and uneducated, some educated but still off base and some valid.
Since you're asking us, absolutely Fresno State can win on Friday.
I'd say Fresno State has had more talent every single year since these two teams have been in the WAC together, but Boise State has this almost mystic aura of continually pulling out Ws, albeit not always against respectable competition. I personally have gone into every one of these FSU-BSU games thinking the 'Dogs were going to win (save for 2006) and have been stunned every time. This is the first year where I can legitimately imagine a possible loss. I don't think a lot of Boise fans realize Fresno State still sees itself as the premier program, though there's no debating the success Boise has had head-to-head.
What's more motivation: revenge for last season's blowout loss at Boise or simply beating Boise?
Just winning for this year's sake. Last year was last year, and honestly one of the strangest games I've ever seen. It was 13-10 at the half -- who can explained what happened thereafter? You play to win the game.
Lightning round. I say a word, you say the first word that comes to mind.
A.J. Jefferson.
Touchdown
The WAC.
Fresno vs. Boise
Trent Dilfer.
Role model.
Sledgehammers.
"Be the hammer not the nail" (don't steal that too boise)
Nonconference schedules.
Anywhere, anywhere, anytime.
Ryan Colburn.
Refreshing.
Woodchuck (honestly, that's what came to mind).
Boise State fans.
Grandeur.
For more Fresno insight and analysis, check out the Bulldog Bounce all this week.
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I almost choked on my breakfast when I read the “Pat Hill vs Pete” question. How did you keep a straight face when you asked this question? Well done, sir! How can ANY Bulldog fan keep from vomiting when they picture Pat Hill pacing the sidelines in a close game?
Then I read this and actually chuckled out loud: “Fresno State has had more talent every single year since these two teams have been in the WAC together…” All the wins must be due to coaching then right? Or has BSU has just been lucky?
I’ve always said, NOBODY gets more credit for losing to BCS teams and NOT winning their conference than Fresno St.
by MooreWalksOnWater on Sep 17, 2009 8:04 AM PDT reply actions 8 recs
"Right now, we’re trying to catch Boise State and I think everyone else in our league is also, sort of like what’s happening in the Pac-10," Hill said. "We’re going to have to try and matchup our athletes on theirs. We have not matched up well the last couple years against them. Hopefully, we’ve improved as a football team athletically and if we have then we’ll have a better chance. In the past when we’ve gone into the Boise State game, we haven’t had the same athletes as they have."
above quote from Pat Hill on Graham Watons’s blog.
I’d say Fresno State has had more talent every single year since these two teams have been in the WAC together
Even Pat Hill is honest about his football team.
Delusions of Grandeur? Really?
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
Not sure but...
This just doesn’t sound right
non conference schedule
anywhere, anywhere, anytime
Are they afraid of anyone now? Kevan if this is a mistake, please fix and delete this comment so no one knows you made a mistake or just blame the intern.
I love the colors Orange and Blue. Go Broncos!!! Go Titans!!!
No typo on my part
but probably one on theirs. Although the idea of “anyone” missing is interesting, considering they opened with UC Davis.
"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis
Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime
Lately that’s just Fresno’s way of saying 0-3.
I personally have gone into every one of these FSU-BSU games thinking the ’Dogs were going to win (save for 2006) and have been stunned every time.
Does that mean there is a blog bet on the line Friday night?
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
by MKingery on Sep 17, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I suggested it ...
… but no takers. Maybe I’ll post a 3,000-word comment on their site or something.
"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis
Delusions
Sure, Boise State deserves a ton of credit for one of the most amazing feats in college football this decade — its WAC record.
But, from an outside perspective, I often wonder if deep in the hearts of Boise fans there lies a question of, “how good are we really?” I mean, when you don’t regularly play non-conf. games against big-time opponents, is there an underlying question to Broncos fans of what would happen in those games?
It can’t be an attitude of “we’ll beat them too” when Boise State’s only won one BCS-conf. road game ever (Oregon ‘08) and lost 4 of its past 5 bowl games. That’s what I meant about the fan comment (and I was honest about what first popped into my mind) because the confidence and ego I see permeating Broncos fans seems strange for a team that’s never consistently tested inself in non-conference play.
Check out the latest Fresno State chatter on the Bulldog Bounce blog at http://www.BulldogBounce.blogspot.com.
I know you're a newcomer.
But if you’d visited this board often enough (which I wouldn’t expect you to), then you would know that we have those very same thoughts and have posted several topics on that very matter. Would BSU do well in the PAC-10? Is our schedule NC worthy? Will we EVER win a bowl game again? Kevan has so many doubts that we’ve often had to buy him free drinks just to get the cloud covering his head.
But do those questions compare to the confidence we have when we’re playing Fresno State? Nope. We have every right to be confident about this game. And we even document how we think Fresno can make this a good game and what they should do to us to try and win.
Granted, it was the first thing in your head, but if you’d grown to know the true Bronco fan base, we’re every bit the skeptic of our teams “level” just as a Fresno State fan is of Pat Hill’s coaching success.
I hope that clarifies why we’re thinking “grandeur” is an interesting perspective.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
I'm of the following philosophy...
Beat us—then you can complain about our schedule.
Oddly enough, last time Fresno beat us, they couldn’t drag out that argument (2005…Georgia, Oregon State, Boston College)
by Drew Roberts on Sep 17, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Ok, I must chime in.
I mean, when you don’t regularly play non-conf. games against big-time opponents
1996- Ariz. St.
1997- Wisconsin, Wash. St
1998- Wash. St.
1999-UCLA
2000- Arkansas, Wash St.
2001- South Carolina, Wash St.
2002- Arkansas
2003, 2004- BYU, Oregon State.
2005- Georgia, Oregon State
2006- Oregon State
2007- Washington
2008- Oregon
2009- Oregon
2010- Va Tech, Oregon St.
Define regularly.
Semi-annually? Monthly? You do know there’s eight months out of the year they don’t play football?
Would Boise State fans like to see more non-conference games against BCS opponents?
I think the majority would tell you absolutely. But they do already regularly schedule tough road games. I would love to see the Broncos never play UC Davis again, but I don’t make the schedule.
Boise State’s only won one BCS-conf. road game ever (Oregon ‘08) and lost 4 of its past 5 bowl games
Yep, you got us there. I guess we save the beatdowns for Fresno State.
I have an idea, beat the Broncos more than once a decade and then we’ll call it rivalry.
I’ve heard the weak schedule argument a hundred times, but never from a fan of a team RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WEAK SCHEDULE!
You think the Broncos play weak opponents? Well then get a better team. You can’t be serious.
You don’t like Boise State’s weak schedule? Win more than 3 games in row and get ranked. While you’re at it call the rest of the WAC teams and tell them to do the same.
MooreWalksOn Water said it perfectly;
I’ve always said, NOBODY gets more credit for losing to BCS teams and NOT winning their conference than Fresno St.
Here’s my take;
NOBODY gets less credit for beating the teams they’re supposed to beat and winning their conference than Boise State.
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
by Mikrino on Sep 17, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
REC'D
NOBODY gets less credit for beating the teams they’re supposed to beat and winning their conference than Boise State.
That brought a tear to my eye.
Not a Vandal fan!
by OBNUG Intern on Sep 17, 2009 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Also Rec'd
I’ve heard the weak schedule argument a hundred times, but never from a fan of a team RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WEAK SCHEDULE!
Burn
comment from a bulldog....
I think the answers from FSdogs1 are pretty right on for what the valley thinks. I believe FS our recruites Boise every year, however P Hill and his staff just arent creative enough to put wins on the board. If our recruiting classes are so close, we may not win the wac, but we better be one game behind Boise in losing it. I will give boise credit, you guys are what fresno state aims to be, except we also want to beat the non conference schools too. I give Peterson credit for getting the most out of his players. As FSdogs1 put it, Hill is great personality wise, vision wise and marketing wise, but as a coach with xs and os, he is about as predictable as childress out in minnesota.
As for Friday, I expect it to be a good game. Another Boise St butt kicking like last year, and we will be calling for Pat Hill’s head!!
by gl12ox05 on Sep 17, 2009 4:22 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
rec'd
Speaking of Hill. I have never seen a more respectful Coach of a team that just completely decimated his own team. I have always thought highly of Pat Hill because of that. I have to wonder, though, how much of it is respect and how much of it is pure jealousy.
Not a Vandal fan!
by OBNUG Intern on Sep 17, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
In not sure what you .....
mean by this comment? Are you saying Hill always says nice things about boise even though you guys have beaten us 7 of the last 8? If so, thats because he has no balls to stand up and say what needs to be said. He hasnt said a mean thing about anyone at all. Do you realize that while we had Brandsetter, the entire town of Fresno wanted to kill tommy? The only person who backed him was P Hill, yet all those years, we never even came in 2nd in the wac. Remember your destruction of us last year, that would have been a great time to see what the backup (colburn) could do, or gain some experience. When he finally did, there wasnt much time left and colburn just handed off. You wont find one bulldog fan that says pat hill isnt a great recruiter, personality, or marketer. But every one of us thinks the game of football has passed him by, to a certain degree.
I'm just sayin...
You don’t see coaches, very often, who are as respectful as he is, take Robb Akey for example (although, we all know that for him its just a show. Everyone knows that he sleeps in his Kellen Moore pajamas, snuggling with his stuffed Buster Bronco). Regardless of Hill’s record, it is a good personal trait.
Not a Vandal fan!
by OBNUG Intern on Sep 18, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
All coaches do some pandering to the opponent...
What is different about Hill when he talks about the Broncos is that he does not simply echo the common sentiments of the national media. He goes beyond just being policitally correct and cites specific reasons he thinks the Broncos are talented.
I once heard him on a national talk show (circa 2006) correct the host when BSU was described as a finesse team. He went on to say that is a misperception about BSU and that the Broncos are really a smashmouth football team rather than the gimicky team that is portrayed by the media.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
And we all know how going beyond PC goes...
Just ask Greg McMackin.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
Fresno State still sees itself as the premier program
Then one can only conclude that Fresno State is delusional if their fan base still sees themselves as the “premier” program in the W.A.C. Based on what exactly? Finishing in third place every year makes you the “premium” program in the WAC?? Don’t think so.
ummm.....we dont see ourselves as the premier program in the WAC.....
Link to this quote please….
We do think we should be able to compete with Boise every year. why do we get such a notion? because if you look at rivals, boise and fresno are always up there in the top recruiting classes in the wac. Secondly, look at the football budgets, Fresno is always in the top 3. Yet we always finish 3rd or lower while boise takes first. The only difference that I havent mentioned? Coaching. The expectation here in Fresno is that on paper our program is very similar to boise. If Boise goes undefeated in the WAC then Fresno should be one game behind.
Do we think we could be that premier program in the WAC…eventually yes. Especially with all of our resources.
I’ll give Boise props. What your program has done is what Pat Hill wanted to do when he first got here. The David Carr year didnt stop us from thinking it could happen. However, the last few years have shown that we have underachieved and just need to get back to getting a team that wins the games it should and plays competitively against the bigger foes (ie boise).
Bulldog Bounce in this article: “I don’t think a lot of Boise fans realize Fresno State still sees itself as the premier program, though there’s no debating the success Boise has had head-to-head.”
Do we think we could be that premier program in the WAC…eventually yes.
“When Boise leave to another conference, of course we’ll be the premier program in the WAC!”
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
My apologies...
FSdogs bit off a little bit more than he can chew. Please remember just because he has a blog, he doesnt represent the voice of the dogs. I think most of us in the valley realize we are NOT the premier football program in the WAC. Unless he is refering to overall sports program. Right now, and probably since they have joined the WAC, in football, Boise is the class of the WAC. I agree with the statement “Do we think we could be that premier program in the WAC…eventually yes.” Like I said before, we have the resources, players, funds, fan base, etc, we just need the results. Friday night, the better team won, but it was a fun game to watch that could have gone either way. Right now we are 1-3. To get to Boise’s level, we need to beat the Wisconsins and Cincinatti’s of the world.
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