Ryan Tubongbanua / The Collegian

Jim: My school is a national champion.

Think about that for a second and then realize you can wake up every morning and say that to yourself.

This summer, I found myself in a state of awe and amazement watching the Fresno State baseball team.

I was there for the season opener when the Bulldogs lost to UC Davis in the rain and cold last February and I have seen how much this program overcame.

Not only did their victory in Omaha rejuvenate the school, but it united this entire community.

The Fresno State athletic community has been given a huge boost, and even if you̢۪re a casual sports fan, you should be excited about this fall.

Logan: Seeing the fan excitement over the summer was astounding.

I was in town during the College World Series and it was nothing but fun cheering the Diamond ‘Dogs on to the university’s first national title in a men’s sport.

Bulldog fans really came together over the summer and should be able to get back together for fall sports.

The football team has already caught most fans̢۪ attention and has been getting attention in the national media. They could be this year̢۪s Bowl Championship Series (BCS) buster.

Jim: But, the sad part about college football’s current playoff system is that there are no such things as “Cinderella runs.â€Â

The Fresno State football team has no chance to repeat what its baseball counterparts did because the coalition schools dominate every aspect of college football.

For the Bulldogs to even have a chance, they have to stack their schedule with tough opponents and must finish the season ranked in the top 12.

These “BCS Schoolsâ€Â just need to win their conference and they’re automatically in a big bowl game.

The Bulldog baseball team proved they could beat the big boys – the football team can’t even get an opportunity, well, unless we agree to play them twice at their place and once at ours.

Logan: It’s unfortunate, but college football has become a big business and hasn’t left any room for the little guys to make a buck.

Fresno State just can̢۪t draw the BCS schools to play at Bulldog Stadium because the athletic department doesn̢۪t have the money to bring them here.

A trip to Fresno will make a BCS school about half of what they would make if they played a home game, so the Bulldogs have no chance of getting them here.

That uneven business has also carried over to bowl selections.

The WAC has been represented in BCS bowls in the past two seasons because both Hawaii and Boise State finished undefeated in the regular season.

But even though those teams did all they could in the regular season, they still were never considered for the National Title Game.

Jim: And it doesn̢۪t look like things will be changing anytime soon.

University presidents recently decided to use the BCS format through 2012. That means no playoff, no bracket, no underdog.

As long as we’re a “mid-major,â€Â we will be on the outside looking in.

Logan: But even though our Bulldogs may not be able to play for the title, there is still plenty left to play for.

If Pat Hill̢۪s team does everything right this season, we should be OK.

Jim: But in the meantime, don̢۪t worry REDWAVE. You̢۪re still a national champion!

By Jimmy Graben and Logan Hopkins.