Gear up for gameday: Fresno State

LARAMIE -- Too early to call this a must-win game?

Maybe.

But it sure feels that way, doesn't it?

The Cowboys are coming off a 24-14 loss to Air Force last Saturday in Colorado Springs. That was Wyoming's first loss of the season after jumping out to a 4-0 start for the first time since 1996.

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This team could easily be 1-4. To a degree, it feels like they are. It took last-minute fourth-quarter comebacks to top Montana State, Northern Illinois and UConn. Ball State, who was supposed to be the Cowboys' toughest non-conference opponent after winning the MAC title a season ago, was handled soundly in Laramie in Week 3.

What a weird year it's been.

So, if you're not happy with the way this season has played out, that's not exactly a bad thing.

This team and staff threw the word "championship" around all offseason. When you say things like that, you're held to a higher standard. Once again, not a bad thing.

Oh, by the way, those title hopes didn't die inside Falcon Stadium. There's a ton of football left to be played this fall. In fact, Air Force faces Boise State Saturday night in Idaho. The Falcons still play No. 24 San Diego State and travel to Nevada this season, too. That's no simple task.

Can the Cowboys turn it around against the Bulldogs, who are also coming off their first conference loss of the season? Time will tell. What we do know is this matchup will pit two hungry, talented teams against each other inside War Memorial Stadium.

Both still have aspirations that involve playing the Mountain West Championship game Dec. 4. This one will go a long way in determining who is a contender or a pretender.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS:
* 'Dogs well aware what Chambers brings to the table
* 3 keys to beating the Bulldogs
* Jake Haener could be limited Saturday in Laramie
* QB Jayden Clemons has found a home on the high plains

Famous alums

We know one person that isn't a famous alumni of Fresno State University. That guy is the starting quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen.

"I will tell you that Josh Allen would've given his left leg to go to Fresno," UW head coach Craig Bohl said about his quarterback from 2015-17. "They took a guy who's 6-foot."

Allen is from Firebaugh, California, which is roughly 40 miles northwest of Fresno.

So, thanks, Bulldogs!

OK, here are some people who actually went to school there:

Robert Beltran (Actor - Star Trek)
Harry Edwards (Civil rights activist)
Dot Marie Jones (Actress - arm-wrestling champ)

There are others. If you're like me, you probably just said "Who?"

Let's take a look at some former Bulldog athletes. You will probably remember these guys:

David Carr
Derek Carr
Davante Adams
Aaron Craver
Trent Dilfer
Logan Mankins
Mike Martz
Lane Kiffin
Lorenzo Neal
Michael Pittman
Jerry Tarkanian
Jeff Tedford
Billy Volek
Bernard Berrian
Courtney Alexander
Melvin Ely
Paul George
Ryan Mathews (You remember him, right?)
Doug Fister
Augie Garrido
Matt Garza
Aaron Judge
Jeff Weaver

Not bad, huh?

Here is all you need to know -- and the links -- for Saturday's tilt in Laramie:

WHO: Fresno State (4-2, 1-1) at Wyoming (4-1, 0-1)
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m. MST
WEATHER: High of 55, low of 29, sunny, winds at 10 mph
WHERE: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyo.
TRAVEL: WyoRoad.info
TV: FS2
RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network
STREAMING: FS2
TICKETS: UW Ticket Central
BOX SCORE: ESPN
ROSTERS: Wyoming / Fresno State
BETMGM ODDS: Fresno State -3.5, O/U 44 (Could be subject to change)
HISTORY: Fresno State leads the all-time series 7-5
HEAD COACHES: Craig Bohl / Kalen DeBoer