The Fresno State football team has had its ups and downs this season.

The first game of the year gave fans high hopes as the team battled against Michigan, a Top 10 team at the time.

But the hype has calmed down since then, especially following the blowout loss to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

At times, both sides of the ball have been clicking. Explosive plays through the air, along with forcing turnovers on defense, have allowed the Bulldogs to get the job done, especially in home games.

The Bulldogs are currently 2-0 at Valley Children’s Stadium, putting up over 40-points while forcing three turnovers in their home victories.

But other games showed the offense stalled out and the defense failed to make big stops.

In Las Vegas, the Bulldogs were contained all game long ending the day with only 30 rushing yards, while also throwing four interceptions.

In the fourth quarter of the season opener against Michigan, the defense had a chance to stop Michigan and get the ball back only down six. Instead, the Wolverines led a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive putting the ‘Dogs down by two scores with only five minutes to go in the game.

Fresno State sits on a 3-2 record overall and 1-1 against conference opponents. The ‘Dogs still have time to clean up their mistakes and make a push for a Mountain West
Conference Championship game.

They just got off a bye week following the crushing defeat on the road to UNLV, which comes at the perfect time.

The week off offered a chance to look at what has worked so far, and what has not.

The offense has relied heavily on the passing game, almost too much

Quarterback Mikey Keene is not afraid to sling the rock. Through five games, Keene is second in the Mountain West in average passing yards per game at 271 yards.

Keene also has seven passing touchdowns to go along with a 66.5% completion percentage.

His favorite target has been receiver Mac Dalena who has 501 yards and four touchdown catches through the first five games.

Transfer Raylen Sharpe has become a trusted target of Keene. Sharpe has amassed 249 yards on 25 receptions.

In the home game against Sacramento State, Keene connected with receivers, like Dalena, eclipsing 358 passing yards and two passing touchdowns on the night.

But the problem for the offense comes down to blocking and interceptions.

Keene is tied for first in the Mountain West in interceptions thrown. Keene and New Mexico’s quarterback Devon Dampier have both thrown six interceptions so far this season.

The high interception total has led people to question whether Keene can lead this team to a conference championship or a big-time bowl game.

In the season opener against Michigan, Keene threw two interceptions.

With Fresno State in the red zone late in the game, Keene threw right to the awaiting defensive back Will Johnson who returned it for a pick-six.

Much like in Michigan, Keene threw two interceptions in Las Vegas. One of which came in the second quarter as Keene fired down the middle of the field behind his intended target and into the hands of UNLV defensive back, Johnathan Baldwin.

When it comes to interceptions, the finger is usually pointed at the quarterback alone, but some of the bad throws are not entirely Keene’s fault.

Against the tougher opponents, Keene has been under constant pressure all game. In the UNLV beatdown, Keene was sacked four times.

The offensive line has given up 10 sacks, leading the Mountain West.

It is hard for a quarterback to go through their progressions when they are under duress each play. Keene is no stranger to this, as the pocket constantly collapses and he is forced to improvise and make throws on the run.

The problem with the offensive line does not just stop with the passing game. The Bulldogs have struggled to have a reliable rushing attack in part by the struggling offensive line.

Running back Malik Sherrod is averaging just 3.3 yards a carry, down from last year when he averaged 5.6 yards a carry.

Against below-average defensive lines, the Bulldog front can hold their own. But when the competition gets tougher, pressure gets into the backfield much quicker.

Offenses can slow games down with the run by putting pressure on defenses. Late in the Michigan game, the Wolverines wore down the Bulldog defense with their run game.

The Bulldogs have not had this, especially against good defenses.

Without a reliable rushing attack, the Bulldogs have left it to Keene to make all the plays with his arm.

If the ‘Dogs want to make a run at a Mountain West Championship, a solid run game is needed to help open up the offense.

Can the defense come up with big plays?

The defense for the ‘Dogs has been getting the job done for the most part.

In the season opener against Michigan, the defense kept the Bulldogs in the game until the very end. The ‘Dogs headed into the fourth quarter having allowed only 13-points to the defending national champions.

Pressure has been the biggest issue for the defense all season. Fresno State is averaging just above one sack per game.

The defense is only depending on defensive end Korey Foreman to get pressure.

The former five-star recruit has shown glimpses of his former self with two sacks and two forced fumbles so far.

Where the defense does shine is coming up with interceptions. Fresno State is third in the Mountain West in interceptions with seven.

Thanks, in part, to star defensive back Cam Lockridge who has three interceptions on the year.

The defense is led by Lockridge and linebacker Tuasivi Nomura.

Nomura has been everywhere on defense. The linebacker leads the team with 43 total tackles this season.

The problems on defense have been with pressure, but also a lack of game-time situations. In the Bulldogs’ wins, the defense has been able to go out and play with a large lead against lesser opponents.

But facing tougher teams has proven to be difficult.

During the fourth quarter in the opener, the Wolverines put together two scoring drives that wore down Fresno State’s defense.

In the UNLV game, the defense had no answers for the Rebels’ rushing game. The ‘Dogs could not come up with stops or force any turnovers.

Granted, there are still plenty of games to be played and more opportunities ahead for big plays. But so far, the defense has not been able to come up with the big plays in tough matchups.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season

The team has some work to do if they are to make a push for a conference championship.

Coming out of the bye week, the ‘Dogs sit at 3-2 overall behind UNLV (4-0), San Jose State (3-1) andBoise State (3-1) in the Mountain West standings.

A schedule full of Mountain West matchups will provide Fresno State a chance to boost their 1-1 conference record.

The road ahead will be difficult including matchups against Washington State, San Jose State and the University of California, Los Angeles to end the season.

The Bulldogs may need to win out if they want a chance to play for the Mountain West title.