The Bulldogs head up the 99 as they get set to face the San Jose State Spartans for the Valley trophy.
Game: Fresno State Vs San Jose State
Where: CEFCU Stadium San Jose, California
TV: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: Fubo TV with a free trial
Series Record: 44-38 Fresno State leads
Websites: gobulldogs.com |.sjsuspartans.com
Game Notes: Fresno State
Odds: + 1
The Bulldogs travel up north to take on a red hot San Jose State team. Both teams enter this game on a three game win streak. For the Bulldogs they are coming off an hard fought 37-30 victory over Boise State. The Spartans are coming into this game well rested as they had a bye week last week.
Both teams still have a lot to play for. The Bulldogs are still playing for a Mountain West title game berth and possibly keeping their hopes alive to host the Mountain West Title game. As for the Spartans they can still go bowling if they can win two out of their next three games and still mathematically have a shot at the Mountain West Title game.
Jeff Tedford opens the weekly presser telling @P356Loeffler about the importance of Fresno State-San Jose State rivalry: pic.twitter.com/smXwluyXjd
— Gabe Camarillo (@gabecamarillo_) November 6, 2023
Keys to the Game:
Contain the Run
One of the biggest keys for the Bulldogs will be stopping San Jose State rushing attack. In the last three games combined the Spartans have rushed for over 700 yards. In that three game stretch San Jose State has rushed for over 200 yards each game. The Bulldogs have allowed only one team to rush for over 200 yards this season which was in Logan, Utah against the Utah State. The Dogs must keep San Jose State QB Chevan Cordeiro in the pocket and limit his scrambling ability. The Dogs also must keep RB Kairee Robinson in check and make the Spartans beat the Dogs through the air.
Tedford has great respect for SJSU QB Chevan Cordeiro, who will face FS for fourth time between Hawaii/SJSU.
“They have a lot of weapons over there, and he's one of the major keys for them.” Mentions his ability to pull the ball and run. @BarkBoard
— Gabe Camarillo (@gabecamarillo_) November 6, 2023
Getting off to a fast start
In the last three games the Bulldogs have striked first. Also in those last three games the Bulldogs have won by seven points or less. This could also be on of those close grind it out type of games. the Bulldogs have to find some momentum early in this game and put all the pressure on the San Jose State offense. The Bulldogs offense has been streaky at times but the fast starts have allowed the Dogs to stay in games and keep the lead. This could be one of those game were the Dogs get off to hot start on offensive and then cool down and let the Defense finish it out. The first two-three drive will show how this game will be.
McCann explains why Fresno State attempted a season-high 11 throws of 20+ yards through the air last week vs. Boise State. @BarkBoard pic.twitter.com/fkV5tK5QTY
— Gabe Camarillo (@gabecamarillo_) November 6, 2023
Get Malik Sherrod going
Sherrod has been the Bulldogs work horse lately, and it needs to be more of the same this week. The Bulldogs have to find a way not only to keep the run game going but use Sherrod as a pass catcher more. All the eyes will be on Sherrod and his ability to run the ball but the Bulldogs must l use Sherrod in different places like they did in the UNLV game. The Spartans have allowed four running backs this season to rush for over 120 yards in those four games San Jose State is 0-4 . Sherrod has rushed for 120 yards or more three times this season. Two of those games have came in the last three weeks. If the Bulldogs can run the football this San Jose State defense will have a long night. The Bulldogs have to get a little creative and get the backfield involved early and often.
Bulldogs DC Kevin Coyle said he didn’t even see Malik Sherrod’s 95 yard kick return TD with :07 left in the first half. Coyle had left the box upstairs to head down on a golf cart, but heard what was happening. Says he figured it wasn’t the hot dog race. @FresnoStateFB pic.twitter.com/VCYcQKIcPC
— Alec Nolan (@AlecABC30) November 6, 2023
Predictions
The Spartans are favored by one point in this games. The record really doesn’t show how good this team really is, but the last three weeks has been different for the Spartans. Bowl eligibly and Mountain West Title hopes are still alive. For the Bulldogs this could easily be a trap game. But with all the noise on how good San Jose State. This Bulldog team will be playing with an extra chip on their shoulder . This game will have a lot of energy but I do think the experience and the veteran play of this Bulldogs team will help them out in another in a close game. The Bulldogs have to come out and set the tone early. I believe a big first half will help the Bulldogs later in the game to close it out in San Jose.
Bulldogs 34-27 Spartans