Week 4: Fresno State at Toledo

This game has had Fresno State coach Pat Hill worried for a while.

The Bulldogs are coming off of a physical, disappointing 13-10 home loss to Wisconsin and now must travel across three time zones for the second time in three games.

And Toledo is a formidable foe. The Rockets are 4-0 at home against Top 25 teams and 41-6 at home since 2000.

Both teams will rely heavily upon their star running backs for offensive production. Junior DaJuane Collins of Toledo rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns last week as the Rockets crushed Eastern Michigan 41-17.

Sophomore Ryan Mathews of Fresno State managed just 54 yards against Wisconsin two weeks after rushing for 163 yards and three touchdowns against Rutgers.

The last time these teams played, in 2005 in Fresno, the Bulldogs won 44-14. Special teams played a huge role that day.

Notes:

Fresno State’s opponents have scored on just three of six visits to the red zone. The Bulldogs have allowed 20 points in two games.

This is Toledo’s home opener. The Rockets haven’t hosted a Top 25 team in four years.

Toledo only has 10 seniors, tied for the third-fewest in the nation.

Key Player (Bulldogs) — Tom Brandstater, QB

Brandstater hasn’t provided the passing spark the Bulldogs need to open up some holes in the run game. He has completed just 51 percent of his passes with one touchdown and less than 9 yards per attempt.

Key Player (Rockets) — Stephen Williams, WR

Williams grabbed 12 receptions in the season opener to build upon his 73-catch season in 2007. He added three catches against Eastern Michigan, two of which went for touchdowns. Williams is 6-foot-5 and runs the 40 in 4.39.

Fresno State by 6