Bulldogs may be in a win or go home situation this Saturday

Fresno State looks towards their home finale, just under 48 hours away, as a win or go home situation when New Mexico State comes to town. If the Bulldogs are unable to get a win against the Aggies of New Mexico State on Saturday, it's likely that Pat Hill and his staff will start to look towards the 2009 season.

Fresno State did get a few pieces of good news yesterday as they learned that defensive tackle Jon Monga and the teams' leading rusher Ryan Mathews will make their return to the Bulldog lineup. Both players should be a huge boost for this Bulldog football team and especially in the situation they're in. Monga has been a big part of the defensive line and could be a much needed boost for a defense that gave up over 400 yards rushing to Nevada last Saturday. As for Mathews, he'll be a definite boost and will take the rushing load off the shoulders of Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding, who have struggled in recent weeks, especially with Miller missing the entire Louisiana Tech game with an injury. With all three seemingly at full strength, it should also take a huge load off the mind of quarterback Tom Brandstater, who has had to throw the ball more in the past two weeks because of the limited action that Miller saw and not having Ryan Mathews at all.

Say the Bulldogs do get a win this weekend, which I believe they will, they will need absolutely heroic efforts to knock off San Jose State and 9th ranked Boise State, both games will be played on the road. That's why the Bulldogs absolutely need a win on Saturday.

Have the Bulldogs had their chances to win games, absolutely they have, but this team was horrendous on defense last week against Nevada, they missed crucial field goals against Hawaii and Wisconsin that cost them both games as well as turning the ball over way too much. It's not time to look towards 2009 yet, but if they can't get a win on Saturday, it'll be time to head from Bulldog Stadium over to The Save Mart Center to support the basketball team who, though they are young and somewhat inexperienced, could surprise a lot of teams this season if this team is able to come together.

Time will tell...