Week 7: Idaho at Fresno State

Idaho walks into a potential buzzsaw in Fresno State, a team that put a large dent in its goals this season with six turnovers last week in an overtime loss to Hawaii.

The Vandals have lost 15 straight WAC games, 11 straight road games and 21 straight games against FBS opponents — streaks that point toward more gloom. The Vandals also are last in the nation in total defense (504 yards per game) and sacks (two).

Fresno State should be able to trample Idaho with its powerful ground attack. The Bulldogs rush for 207.6 yards per game — and they topped 300 yards against Hawaii. They have had three different running backs rush for more than 150 yards in a game this season.

The only way this game figures to be close is if Fresno State repeats its mistakes of a week ago, and that seems unlikely. The Bulldogs committed a total of four turnovers in the first four games.

Notes:

Fresno State is 3-0 on the road and 0-2 at home this season.

Fresno State kicker Kevin Goessling leads the WAC with eight field goals made. However, he also is tied for the league lead with six misses — including three in a three-point loss to Wisconsin and two in a three-point, overtime loss to Hawaii.

Idaho center Adam Korby has started 41 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the WAC.

Fresno State tailback Ryan Mathews, who leads the WAC in rushing, is questionable with a knee injury. Tight end Bear Pascoe and wide receiver Marlon Moore, two more of the Bulldogs’ top offensive players, also are questionable.

Key Player (Vandals) — Deonte Jackson, RB

Jackson has been fighting a back injury all season. Still, he has two 100-yard rushing games and he picked up 94 yards combined rushing and receiving last week against Nevada.

Key Player (Bulldogs) — Tom Brandstater, QB

Brandstater was having a nice season until last week, when he tossed three interceptions and no touchdown passes against Hawaii. He had thrown seven touchdown passes against one interception in the previous two games. Brandstater needs to bounce back, not so much for this game as to build his confidence for the stretch run.

Fresno State by 31