Fresno State Bulldogs
Mountain West
Fresno State has one of the most potent offenses in the nation. During their last five games, the Bulldogs dropped an average of 47.2 points per game. Their overall scoring offense on the season is really not much lower than that. With five wins in a row and their only loss since the middle of September coming on the smurf turf, few teams are as hot as Fresno State heading into the bowl season.
2012 Record: 9-3, 7-1
Coach: Tim DeRuyter
Coach Bowl Record: 1-0
Big Wins: 9/15 Colorado (69-14), 11/10 at Nevada (52-36)
Bad Losses: 9/22 at Tulsa (26-27), 10/13 at Boise State (10-20)
Strengths:
The Bulldogs boast three great and generally underappreciated skill players. It all starts with quarterback Derek Carr. The 6-3 junior completed an impressive 68.1 percent of his passes for 3,742 yards and 36 touchdowns. As if that was not impressive enough, Carr threw just five interceptions on the season. He got some help from receiver Davante Adams, who racked up 1,168 receiving yards and found the end zone 13 times. Adams is Carr’s favorite target, but Isaiah Burse is a superb second receiver who, like Adams, can break a big play every time he touches the ball. Even with the amazing passing game, the Bulldogs are not a team that simply chucks the pigskin. Running back Robbie Rouse rushed for 1,468 yards and a dozen scores on 269 carries. There is not an easy way to stop the Fresno State offense and only Boise State did it this season. The best most teams can do is try and outscore them.
Weaknesses:
Yet, outscoring the Fresno State offense is not a simple proposition either. In total defense and scoring defense, the Bulldogs ranked second in the Mountain West. The secondary, led by Phillip Thomas and his eight interceptions and Derron Smith and his six picks, can be very tough to throw against. With a consistent pass rush coming from the front four, the secondary can hang around and add more interceptions to their ever-growing tally. On the year Fresno State created 33 turnovers. In order to have any success against the Bulldogs, teams cannot afford to turn the ball over. Staying on the ground can be beneficial, but that does not always work either. In the regular season finale, Fresno State shutdown Air Force’s option attack in a 48-15 victory.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Robbie Rouse, RB, 1,468 yards
Passing: Derek Carr, QB, 3,742 yards
Receiving: Davante Adams, WR, 1,168 yards
Tackles: Phillip Thomas, S, 82
Sacks: Andy Jennings, DT, 5.5
Interceptions: Phillip Thomas, S, 8
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 165.92 (58th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 322.58 (12, 1)
Total Offense: 488.50 (14, 2)
Scoring Offense: 40.25 (13, 1)
Rushing Defense: 171.92 (77, 3)
Pass Defense: 163.42 (5, 2)
Total Defense: 335.33 (20, 2)
Scoring Defense: 22.25 (28, 2)
Turnover Margin: 1.42 (5, 2)
Sacks: 2.92 (11, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.83 (56, 5)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2010 Humanitarian Bowl Northern Illinois (17-40)
2009 New Mexico Bowl Wyoming (28-35)
2008 New Mexico Bowl Colorado State (35-40)
2007 Humanitarian Bowl Georgia Tech (40-28)
2005 Liberty Bowl Tulsa (24-31)
*all team stats through 11/24
