Bulldogs have many questions coming into 2020. Mountain West prediction reflects that
The Mountain West postponed its virtual media days, which were scheduled to start on July 27 and run for three days. But the conference did release its annual media poll on Tuesday, even though a 2020 college football season is looking to be more and more of a long shot in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Diego State and Boise State were picked to win the West and Mountain divisions – the Aztecs received 19 of 21 first-place votes cast and the Broncos 20 of 21.
Fresno State, coming off an injury-plagued 4-8 season, was picked to finish fourth in the West behind the Aztecs, Nevada (two first-place votes) and Hawaii, and ahead of San Jose State and UNLV.
In the Mountain Division, the Broncos were followed by Wyoming (one first-place vote), Air Force, Utah State, Colorado State and New Mexico.
The division winners are scheduled to meet in the Mountain West championship Dec. 5, 2020, at the home stadium of the division champ with the highest winning percentage in conference games.
The media poll has at the top at least been a fairly accurate barometer of what the standings will look like at the end of November.
Since the Mountain West went to divisional play in 2013, the poll has accurately tabbed the winner of the West Division five times in seven years and the Mountain five times in seven years.
Fresno State a Mountain West contender?
But if there is a team that has confounded voters it is the Bulldogs.
Fresno State was picked to finish last in the West in 2017 when it went 7-1 and won the division in the first year under coach Jeff Tedford. It also was the top team in the West last year when finishing fourth at 2-6, the lowest finishing position for a team that was picked to win its division.
A 2020 season might not be any different, as far as outside expectations one way or the other.
Fresno State has yet to start practice for the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, even though many FBS programs are in a two-week period of mandatory workouts. Teams are allowed eight hours per week of weight training, conditioning and meetings, and for teams scheduled to open Labor Day weekend that will be extended to 20 hours per week starting July 24.
Fresno State is scheduled to start camp on Aug. 7, which might be the first time the players see the practice field. If the Bulldogs do start, they will be behind many of their Mountain West rivals.
While there are questions at the quarterback position, Fresno State has impact players returning on both sides of the football starting with running back Ronnie Rivers and linebacker Justin Rice.
Bulldogs’ skill may surprise
Rice is a candidate for the preseason all-conference team and its defensive player of the year – the conference will announce its preseason all-conference team on Wednesday and its offensive, defensive and special teams players of the year on Thursday.
The Bulldogs also have an offensive line returning in much better health than it was at the end of 2019 when decimated by injuries. Center Matt Smith and right tackle Syrus Tuitele, both of whom went out after eight games, are expected to be a full-go when the Bulldogs resume activities.
Fresno State had 11 players start at least one game on the offensive line, with four players starting at least once at left guard and three at left tackle, right guard and center.
It still averaged 30.0 points a game, fifth in the Mountain West, despite struggling down the stretch as its offensive line options became more limited.
Rivers led the conference with 16 touchdowns, 13 rushing and three receiving. The Bulldogs also return a deep and talented mix of wideouts led by Zane Pope, Keric Wheatfall, Emoryie Edwards and Jalen Cropper.