Bulldogs have begun preparation

Preseason practice has officially started today for the 26th ranked Fresno State Bulldogs. 2005 is coach Pat Hill's ninth season as head coach, and he has his sights on a WAC title and a lofty national ranking. For the third year in a row, now, Coach Hill has his most talented team. The past two years his teams have underachieved dramatically. This year's team has 17 returning starters, and abundance of depth at running back, defensive back, linebacker, and offensive line.

The 'Dogs finished last season with a six game winning streak capped by the 37-34 win over Virginia in the MPC Computers Bowl. If the coaches poll is any indication, the 'Dogs have a lot to prove. Beating BCS schools is great, but conference championships have to be the goal. Boise State has only beaten two BCS schools in its nine years at DI-A, but have won three straight WAC titles, have finished in the top 15 in those years, and are ranked in the preseason for the first time at number 19. Fresno State has the talent to achieve their first outright WAC title, but it remains to be seen if the 'Dogs can maintain their intensity for an entire season.