Fresno State ended nonconference play 3-1, outscoring its four opponents 61-26 after halftime and beating Rice 38-24 on Saturday. The Bulldogs face 3-1 Boise State on Oct. 10; the article argues a win would put them in the driver's seat for the league title.
Rice led 17-14 at halftime, but Fresno State scored 24 points to Rice’s seven in the second half. Quarterback Jayden Mandal has not turned the ball over since the USC game and was sacked once across the Bulldogs’ three wins, though the article says his completion percentage has been somewhat erratic.
The article says Fresno State’s schedule may have been easier than Boise State’s and that the Bulldogs are less tested than the Broncos. It also notes Washington State is next and half the season remains after the Boise State game.
