With SJSU’s loss, Fresno State can clinch West with one win
The Fresno State Bulldogs are on the verge of a Mountain West West Division Title, and the path became easier after Saturday’s conference results. With San Jose State falling 43-27 at San Diego State, the ‘Dogs only need to win one of their remaining two games to punch a ticket to the MW Conference Championship Game.
The scenario first started in about the worst way possible for the Bulldogs on Saturday night. San Jose State opened the game with a touchdown on their first drive, then forced an interception and drove 31 yards for a 14-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of action.
But the ensuing kickoff was returned 95 yards by San Diego State returner Jordan Byrd. The Aztecs added a 22-yard field goal, then took the lead on a 66-yard touchdown pass. The Aztecs found the end zone three more times for 38 unanswered points before San Jose State scored late in the third quarter.
Fresno State now sits alone at the top of the West Division standings at 5-1. San Jose State and San Diego State are both 4-2. But because the Bulldogs have defeated both teams and hold both head-to-head and three-team tiebreakers, Fresno State just needs to reach six wins to guarantee the division title. The Bulldogs can go 1-1 in their remaining two games – regardless of which game they win – and still win the division.
Fresno State next travels to face the Nevada Wolf Pack. Nevada is 2-8 on the year, is 0-6 in Mountain West play and has lost their last eight games after a 2-0 start. However, the Bulldogs will be faced with below-freezing temperatures forecasted in Reno on Nov. 19. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm PT on CBS Sports Network.
The Bulldogs conclude the regular season at home against the Wyoming Cowboys (7-3, 5-1). Both teams will play on a short week with a Black Friday (Nov. 25) kickoff at 7:30 pm PT. Wyoming starting quarterback Andrew Peasley was knocked out of the game with injury in the Cowboys’ 14-13 Saturday win over Colorado State. His status is uncertain.
When it comes to who Fresno State could face in the conference championship game, that answer may come next week. Wyoming hosts Boise State (7-3, 6-0) at 4 pm PT on Nov. 19. The winner will take hold first place in the Mountain Division. If Boise State wins, the Broncos clinch both the Mountain Division and home-field advantage for the conference championship game. If Wyoming wins, they would need to defeat Fresno State on Nov. 25 to guarantee the Mountain Division Title. In that scenario, a Fresno State win over Wyoming would send the Bulldogs to Boise for the championship game while a loss would send the Bulldogs to Laramie for a back-to-back rematch with the Cowboys.
The only way the Bulldogs can host the title game is if both Fresno State wins its last two and Boise State loses its last two. The Broncos host Utah State on Nov. 25.