The Fresno State Bulldogs are coming off a heartbreaking 37-35 loss to Utah State. The Bulldogs are now 4-5(2-3) and are 4th in Mountain West – West Division. The Dogs were looking at a long shot to go to their 3rd straight Mountain West championship game until Nevada pulled an upset against San Diego State last week. Now the Dogs control their own destiny needing to beat San Diego State tonight, Nevada next week, and San Jose State the following. Fresno State now has 3 one possession losses this season.

The Bulldogs will have a tough test Tonight against San Diego State who are 7-2(4-2). With a win tonight for the Bulldogs, it will keep them alive for a Mountain West Title game. A win for San Diego State will put them in the driver’s seat in the West Division.

Keys to the Game:
For San Diego State, they are coming off a 17-13 loss to Nevada and didn’t have a good day offensively. The Aztecs have to get the passing game going – Senior QB Ryan Agnew was 18-35 for only 196 passing yards and threw 1 interception. The Bulldogs allow 32.4 points per game, and San Diego State is 11th in the conference in scoring at 20.8 points per game. If the Aztecs can get the passing game going and balance the offense out, they will be in a great position to win tonight.

For the Dogs it must be a win or season is over. Fresno State can’t look back on last week after a crushing loss; the Dogs have to win tonight to stay alive for the conference title game. Fresno State has struggled on defense all year and have to change that tonight. In all 5 losses, the Dogs have gave up 30+ plus points. Good news for the Dogs is that the Aztecs have only scored 30+ once this season, which was against New Mexico State. Fresno State has to make San Diego State beat them through the air. The Aztecs have struggled all season on offense and that could be a huge boost for this Bulldogs Defense. Offensively last week, this offense was great Jorge Reyna was 16-20 for 263 yards and Ronnie Rivers ran for 102 yards and 3 touchdowns on 17 carries. If Fresno State can repeat what they did on offense last week and take care of the ball against a very good Aztecs defense, then they could be leaving SDCCU stadium with the Oil Can trophy.

This could be a big time win for both schools as the Mountain West Race is on. The Dogs could control its win destiny with a win tonight. The Aztecs will be in the driver’s seat to win the division with a win tonight. Who will take home the Oil Can trophy, the Bulldogs of Fresno State or the Aztecs of San Diego State?. Find out tonight at 6:30pm at SDCCU Stadium. Game will be live on Espn2 and on Espn940.

Twitter: @tnijhar2 | Read all of his articles HERE.