Fresno State vs. Colorado State

                                                                                         

Bulldogs -2 1/2 vs. Rams

Bowl season kicks off in style this Saturday as four contests dot the usually barren post-regular season day. The second bowl of the season will kick off at 2:30 in Albuquerque as Fresno State will take on Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl.

Fresno State (7-5) will likely welcome the early bowl game because it will allow them to erase the stinging memories of their last game played three weeks ago when they were torched 61-10 by Boise State. The Bulldogs allowed the most points in 12 years on this day and limp into the postseason the losers of three of their last five regular season contests.

Following the season, Fresno State almost lost their coach as Pat Hill interviewed for the open spot as the University of Washington headman. The job went to Steve Sarkisian instead and Hill will resume his place on the Bulldog's sidelines.

Much heralded Tom Brandstater had a disappointing senior year under center for the Bulldogs, but will still finish a strong career in the valley. Brandstater finished the regular season with 2478 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, which was down from 2654 yards, 15 touchdowns and only five picks a year before.

Colorado State (6-6) greets the postseason for the first time since the 2004 season when they lost to Navy in the 2005 Poinsettia Bowl. They have not won a bowl game since the 2001 New Orleans Bowl, a 45-20 victory over North Texas. The Rams got here by winning its final two games to become bowl-eligible. No one saw Colorado State clawing their way into postseason play after losing five of seven from September 27 through November 8.

It is rare for teams familiar to each other to meet in bowl games, but these schools have met 11 times in the regular season with Colorado State holding the slight 6-5 edge by winning the last two matchups, most recently a 35-23 Rams' victory on September 30, 2006.

Colorado State has played in 11 bowl games in their history, winning four and losing seven while Fresno State is 10-7 in their previous bowl games.

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