Fresno State Bulldogs at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Fresno State Bulldogs of the Western Athletic Conference are being touted by some as a potential BCS entrant They will test themselves right off the bat int he opening game of the 2008 season when they travel to Piscataway, NJ to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in an inter-sectional game that will kick off at 4 PM ET on Monday at Rutgers Stadium (artificial turf).

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: RUTGERS -5, Total 59.5

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* FRES has covered six of its last nine games

* FRES has won four of its last five games SU

* FRES has won and covered four of its last five road games

* FRES has lost 10 of its last 15 road games SU

* FRES has played five of its last seven road games OVER the total

* RUT has covered two of its last six games

* RUT has won 18 of its last 25 games SU

* RUT has covered two of its last six home games

* RUT has won 14 of its last 17 home games SU

With the ascension of Boise State and Hawaii to BCS status the last couple of years, the pundits will be looking for teams who have potential to emerge out of the "rags" conferences to attain BCS "riches." Certainly BYU is getting that kind of attention, but Fresno State is part of that conversation as well.

The Bulldogs scored an average of 33 points a game last year, which ranked them 32nd nationally, and they return nine starters from that offense, so the speculation is that the numbers will improve. Tom Brandstater is back for his senior season at quarterback, and coach Pat Hill can feel very confident about putting the ball in his hands, since he tossed just five interceptions in 337 attempts in the 2007 season. Brandstater opened a lot of eyes in the Humanitarian Bowl, as he led the Bulldogs to a 12-point victory over Georgia Tech.

The guy to watch is unquestionably Ryan Matthews, who scored 14 touchdowns as a freshman, and highlights a Fresno State running game that can beat you on the outside, or between the tackles with Lonyae Miller.

And speaking of the running game, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has to deal with the loss of Ray Rice, who was a major, major workhorse for the Scarlet Knights' offense, to the point where he was overworked. But the feeling is that the threat of Rice in the backfield made Mike Teel (20 TD's, 13 INT's) a much more effective quarterback. The left-hander was first or second in the NCAA efficiency ratings in the early going, then faded a bit.

Rutgers brigs back plenty of experienced defensive personnel, and that will pose a challenge to Fresno State. But the wily Brandstater should be able to handle it. And a factor that has to be taken into account is the mindset of Pat Hill and this program, which through the years has never been afraid to go anywhere and play anyone. No one can accuse Fresno State of ducking potential opponents, whoever they may be.

We'll take the points with the Bulldogs, the five-point underdog in the BetUS NCAA football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: FRESNO STATE +5 **

(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com gives it more than the old college try as a contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)