Fresno State has a lot of positive momentum after a win on national television over Boise State last week. It was perhaps the most entertaining game of the week, and now the Bulldogs have their sights set on becoming a BCS buster.
How to watch Fresno State vs. Hawaii: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Fresno State is on the national radar after a win over Boise State, and the quest for a potential BCS bid continues against Hawaii. Here’s what you need to know to catch the game.
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It might be natural to worry about a letdown the week after a win like that, but considering how bad Hawaii has looked in 2013, Fresno State should be able to survive even without one of its better efforts. The days of high-flying offenses under June Jones seem a distant memory for the Rainbow Warriors, who’ve yet to score more than 14 points in a game this year.
That obviously has to change if Hawaii has any chance at its first victory of the season, and change to a significant degree. Fresno has put up at least 41 points in every game it has played.
The numbers
Rankings and records: The Bulldogs are 3-0 (1-0), ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll and No. 23 in the Coaches’ Poll. Hawaii is 0-3 (0-1) and unranked. Fresno State has won the last two games in this series and owns a 23-21-1 edge all-time.
Vegas: Fresno State opened as an 18.5-point favorite, and the over/under opened at 58.5 points.
Weather: A high of 87 is expected, and there is some chance of rain.
Three names to know
Derek Carr -- Carr’s 460-yard passing effort against Boise State prompted Fresno State to launch a Heisman campaign for him. The third-year starter threw for more than 4,100 yards a year ago and he’s headed in that direction once again. This season he’s averaging about 374 yards per game through the air, and he’s got 12 touchdown passes against just one interception.
Isaiah Burse -- Burse leads the Bulldogs with 309 yards receiving and averages nine grabs per contest. He's part of an experienced receiving corps that includes six players with 100+ yards receiving in 2013.
Davante Adams -- Adams had an enormous 2012 season, catching 102 balls for 1,312 yards and 14 scores -- he led the Bulldogs by a wide margin in all three categories. He doesn't have quite as many yards receiving as Burse, but he is still on the way to a big season. Averaging 10.3 receptions per game will do that.
Two things at stake
For Fresno, a shot at a BCS game will be at stake every week the team is undefeated. The Bulldogs can’t afford any mistakes from here on out given their schedule, but if they were to completely fumble the game at Hawaii away, they could still win the Mountain West, at least.
This is probably a lost season for Hawaii no matter what happens against Fresno State, but it won’t have another opportunity all year like this one. The Warriors can put an abrupt end to all that Bulldogs-BCS business, and that wouldn’t be a bad consolation amid another losing campaign.
How to witness
TV: None.
Radio: A list of Fresno State’s affiliates is here. Hawaii’s broadcast can be heard locally on ESPN 1420 AM.
Online streaming: OCSports.tv
Further reading
Visit Mountain West Connection for more on the game.
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