Confidence is high at Fresno State.
Perhaps higher than it has been in recent years, with the Bulldogs (3-3 overall, 2-1 Western Athletic Conference) securing their third blowout victory and still playing at a high level.
The latest was a 41-21 drubbing of San Jose State on Saturday.
Fresno State took control from the second quarter with 34 straight points.
"They've got a lot of confidence in themselves right now," Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said. "I'm really happy the way they've played. ... We've played in some very, very tough football games. These guys are very resilient.
Fresno State's Ryan Mathews dives for a touchdown during Saturday's game. The play was eventually called back on a Fresno State penalty, one of the few hiccups for the Bulldogs in a 41-21 victory.
"This is a very charismatic team with great chemistry."
Offensively is where Fresno State is playing its best.
Fresno State ranks third in the nation in rushing yards with an average of 279.7 per game, ninth in total offense at 461.2 yards per game and 10th in scoring at 36.5 points per game.
"We're executing at a high level, and it's because a lot of these guys know what they're doing: their assignments, their roles, the expectations," quarterback Ryan Colburn said. "It's great knowing that we're all on the same page. I don't think that's always been the case before.
"When you have trust and faith in your teammates, the overall team confidence just rises."
Granted, Fresno State's wins have come against San Jose State, Hawaii and UC Davis, which combined have a 6-12 record. But to the Bulldogs' credit, they have punished these opponents by a combined score of 134-38.
And with the outcomes secured by the third quarter, the Bulldogs have been able to insert reserves and give them experience.
"If you play well, everyone gets a chance to go in," Hill said. "That's really important. I think that keeps teams up, keeps them going."
Injury front
Fresno State has been able to avoid a serious rash of injuries for most of this season, but Saturday did bring a few concerns.
Receiver Devon Wylie said he is day-to-day after suffering a hamstring injury in the second quarter against San Jose State.
"I think I was moving too fast for my own good and my hamstring went out," said Wylie, who suffered the injury while running a long-ball route but never had the ball thrown his direction.
"It's a day-by-day thing," Wylie added. "It's not so much of a pull or tear. But my hamstring is extremely tight right now. If I try to run, I'm risking tearing it.
"I want to try to get in [against New Mexico State on Saturday]. We'll see how it goes."
Hill said he thinks Wylie should be ready. If he's not, senior receivers Marlon Moore, Seyi Ajirotutu and Chastin West will all have their workload increased.
*Center Joe Bernardi missed his second straight game with a shoulder injury and is believed to be the only player who suited up Saturday but did not play. Fresno State had 64 players log minutes.
Bernardi did participate in Sunday's light workouts. His return remains unclear. Senior Richard Pacheco started in his place.
*Linebacker Nico Herron said he could have played in the second half against San Jose State but was held out with the Bulldogs in control. Herron had 12 stitches on his lip after his helmet accidentally came off and he took a cleat spike to the face.
*Linebacker Kyle Knox also should be able to play, despite missing parts of the second half with a stinger. Knox even re-entered the game for a brief stretch after suffering the injury.
*Safety Lorne Bell said he's back to 100 % after starting Saturday for the first time since Sept. 12 against Wisconsin.
"Everything's back to normal," Bell said. "Feels great."
Bell missed two games with a strained ligament in his knee and was limited as a reserve against Hawaii.
Strength of schedule validated
The first Bowl Championship Series standings were released Sunday and appears to validate the difficulty of Fresno State's early-season stretch.
Boise State (6-0) came in at No. 4, followed by Cincinnati (6-0) at No. 5, and Wisconsin (5-2) at No. 21. Wisconsin's losses are to nationally ranked Iowa and Ohio State.
Fresno State went 0-3 against the trio but was in position to win each game in the fourth quarter.
Close against good competition, however, has not been enough for the Bulldogs (3-3) to receive any votes in the latest Associated Press Top 25 or USA Today coaches' poll.
WAC member Idaho (6-1), which plays Fresno State in three weeks, did receive four votes in the AP poll and eight in the coaches poll.
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