Saturday’s game against nationally-ranked Nevada should be the biggest game of the year at Bulldog Stadium.

A win Saturday and the Bulldogs control their own destiny for a Western Athletic Conference championship, but a loss could all but plummet a season that began with high hopes and expectations.

But there is just so much more at stake on Saturday than a conference championship. Lets face it, Fresno State is not going to win the WAC outright this year, especially with the Cinderella Darlings of Boise State standing in their way.

Saturday’s game will also determine where Fresno State will ultimately end up in the postseason. A win against the Wolf Pack and the ‘Dogs are probably headed to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against a quality Pac-10 team in San Francisco.

A loss? A trip right back to the ever-so attractive New Mexico Bowl, where the ‘Dogs have suffered back-to-back losses against Mountain West Conference opponents.

But is a win against No. 21 Nevada realistic for head coach Pat Hill’s squad?

Maybe not, considering Fresno State’s injury woes to the offensive line. Andrew Jackson’s status is still up in the air after missing nearly the entire season while Joe Bernardi, Leslie Cooper and Kenny Wiggins are questionable after all three missed significant playing time against Louisiana Tech. That leaves one healthy offensive lineman that started the season as the team’s starter: Bryce Harris.

But Fresno State’s chances of an upset won’t really ride on the offense. The offense has managed to score more than 34 points a game despite a shuffling of running backs and receivers all year. Fresno State will score its fair share of points, but at the end of the day, the game is going to be determined by the play of the defense.

If the defense plays well and generates a sack attack, the ‘Dogs might just have a chance to knock off the first ranked opponent that the team has played all year.

But it’ll be tough to topple a hot Nevada team unless the Bulldog faithful piles into Bulldog Stadium and gets behind this Fresno State team.

So, I’m asking you, Red Wave, to get off your butt and support your ‘Dogs for the biggest game of the year.