The Bulldogs kick off the 2024 season against the defending national champions.
Game: Fresno State vs Michigan
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: NBC
Streaming: Fubo TV with a free trial
Series Record: First meeting between these two programs
Websites:|gobulldogs.com | mgoblue.com/
Odds: – 21.5 Michgian
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The Tim Skipper era starts with a big test as the Bulldogs head to the big house to face the No.9 Michigan Wolverines. This will be the first time these two schools will play each other.
Players to watch:
RB Donovan Edwards
The Bulldogs will have their hands full with the “ Don” on the field. Edwards is coming to a spectacular national championship game with six carries for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards backed up Blake Corum last season who is now in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. Donovan had only five games last season where he carried the ball 10 times, but that won’t be the case this year as he will be Michgian workhorse back this season.
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QB Mikey Keene
Keene enters his second season with the Bulldogs but this time he won’t have QB guru Jeff Tedford alongside him. This will be the first we have seen Mikey Keene healthy in a while. The Question with Mikey will be can he take that next step and be a leader? The Junior QB threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last season but he also threw 10 interceptions. Can he cut down on turnovers and protect the football?
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DE Korey Foreman
The prize possession recruit for Fresno State. The former five-star will make his Bulldog debut with a lot of hype around him. Fresno State fans are hoping Foreman can live up to that five-star hype. Earlier in spring Coach Jeff Tedford said “ There was one practice where he had like three sacks, two picks and one was one-handed. “I went into the defensive room and asked, ‘Who let Lawrence Taylor on the field?’ That’s what he looked like.” Can Korey make a much-needed impact on this Bulldogs defense?
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Keys to the game:
Can the Bulldogs get help in the trenches:
Michigan is a very physical, smash-mouth football team. With uncertain at the QB positions look for this to be the Donovan Edwards game. The Bulldogs have to find ways to contain the run and make Michgian beat by throwing it downfield. Whether it’s Alex Orji or Davis Warren Fresno State has to make these guys feel uncomfortable in the pocket. On the other side of the ball, simply, you have to protect Keene, especially against a front 7 like this. We saw this at times last year when this O-line just simply couldn’t hold its own allowing Keene to get pressured which led to ill-advised throws. If the Bulldogs want any chance at an upset it starts up front!
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Get your player makers going early:
The Bulldogs have a lot of speed and playmaking on offense with RB Malik Sherrod, WR Raylen Sharpe who transferred in from Missouri State, Chedon James who transferred from Idaho State, and WR Mac Dalena all set to go look for these four to make an impact in this game. With Jalen Moss lined up with Will Johnson the Dogs have to get production out of these four. Can one of these guys be a game-changer for the Bulldogs? Does Fresno State have a player that can the game in a heartbeat?
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Turnovers/ Special Teams:
If the Bulldogs want any chance at an upset they have to find a way to make that extra impact play. Whether is special teams taking one to the house or the Bulldog’s defense scoring a defensive touchdown, the Bulldogs have to find ways to ease pressure off its offense. Can someone on this special team unit or defense step up when it matters the most?
Predictions:
This game will be full of emotions and juice. Two programs starting two new era’s on primetime television. The Bulldogs are going to come in and give it everything they have. Michigan is looking to avoid the upset and make a statement early. The Bulldogs will make this a game but the size and physicality of Michigan will be too much for Fresno State. The Wolverines will pull away late in the second half.
Fresno State 17-30 Michigan