Fresno State has just received the largest pledged donation in its history, $10 million dollars for the athletic department. Exactly how this pledge will be honored still seems shrouded in mystery.
The money is coming through a former Fresno State football player, Alphonso Bigelow, who played linebacker in the mid-90s. He got his MBA at Fresno State, and still lives in the city. He is also the CEO of a company called Nykel Bam International, LLC. That's where the mystery comes in, because what the company does seems purposefully vague.
FanHouse's lead-up to college football's signing day makes like Charles Dickens and looks at the Ghosts of Recruiting -- past, present and future. In the Ghosts of Recruiting Past we note 10 recruiting powers who have hit a dry spell
In this episode, we look at two of the dominant brands of college football in the last 30 years -- Miami and Florida State. Please don't accuse us of saying these monsters are untalented, but there's been a drop for both. Steady and quiet at first, but more severe of late. These are two programs fans love to hate but I call this a touch depressing. Let's shake this all out after the jump.
FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.
One of the beautiful things about bowl season is that some very talented, but unknown college football stars get their moment in the spotlight. With that in mind .. America, meet Gartrell Johnson. The stocky senior running back put on an absolute show, leading Colorado State to a 40-35 come-from-behind win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. The win was the Rams' first bowl win in seven years.
Johnson ran for a career-high 285 yards plus caught six passes for 89 -- giving him a whopping 374 total yards. Prior to Saturday, Johnson averaged 99 rushing yards per game in 2008.
Colorado State trailed 28-20 heading to the fourth quarter, but Tommie Hill intercepted Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater, swinging momentum in the Rams' favor. Johnson punched in from one yard out soon after to cut the Bulldogs' lead down to 28-26.
Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque, N.M.), which pits Fresno State against Colorado State.
Overview: The New Mexico Bowl is essentially a old school western-style shootout, drawing in teams from the WAC and Mountain West. Many analysts projected Nevada to land the Western Athletic's bid, but Fresno State got an offer and, at 7-5, pounced quickly. The Bulldogs, (the former team of Mittens!) will face off against, but Colorado State, the only 6-6 team in the Mountain West, appears likely as an opponent.
Hotels: Each one of the hotels we've suggested have great proximity to the stadium. Even if they weren't so close, Albuquerque is easy to navigate. Sandia Peak makes for a good directional landmark because you can see it from anywhere in town. The Hyatt Regency Albuquerque is probably the finest hotel in town. The Hilton Albuquerque is more reasonably priced, and is the best all around value for bowl travelers. The Best Western Airport Innsuites Hotel is the perfect option for those on a tight budget. Guestrooms are cheap and the property is close to the airport and the stadium.
Restaurants: A little driving may be necessary to enjoy the best food the city has to offer, but it will be well worth the trip. Albuquerque is worth exploring because of its rich culture and beautiful scenery. Scalo has a reputation for beginning the pioneer of fine dining in Albuquerque.
Fresno State has worked hard to market itself as the team in the Central Valley. The Bulldogs have that big "V" on the back of their helmets as a way to honor the Central Valley. They've succeeded in their goal. Of course, success isn't always perfect.
Membership in a large and notorious Central Valley gang called the Bulldogs.
Beginning in the 1980s Fresno State's fearsome mascot became a symbol of gang violence.
About two years ago, city officials and the police department began a public crackdown on the gang and even now grade school and high school students here can't wear Fresno State gear to school.
Fresno State, the city of Fresno and plenty of other people are talking about the problem. The mayor has said they have "declared war to get that logo back." When? That doesn't seem clear. Even if they do manage to get it away from being linked to gangs it will still take years to overcome the perception. That means Fresno State gear will remain banned from the public schools in the Central Valley.
"You guys in the offseason are going to give me some questions about scheduling and different things like that," Bielema said. "I guarantee you I'm never going to schedule a game that's officiated by WAC officials, that's for sure."
That was said in the aftermath of Wisconsin's curiously-officiated loss against Tennessee in the Outback bowl, but there's just one issue: it was a Mountain West crew that worked the game. Actually, two issues: Wisconsin had already signed up for a road game against WAC power Fresno State for this year.
Well, Bielema was right to be suspicious, because late in the Fresno State game he got absolutely hosed by a review:
For a program in the WAC, life is difficult. Outside of the BCS umbrella, giant paydays are foreign, and nationally televised games are a rarity. Even perfection is only rewarded in the most cursory of manners, yielding a lesser BCS bowl that places the program no closer to the title than if they'd spent the weekend in Shreveport.
And while the title issue remains, well, an issue for as long as the BCS's greasy tentacles ensnare the crystal football, there is a way for lesser I-A programs to get noticed, and that's to take the BCS programs head-on. There are few programs so willing to do so as Fresno State, the plucky Bulldogs from the mythical state of Fresno.
Nebraska, Colorado and Mississippi were added to the Bulldogs' schedule beginning in 2010. They also scheduled games against Cincinnati, UC-Davis, Cal Poly and Rutgers.
We'll be ignoring UC-Davis and Cal Poly, as they render my argument ridiculous. Say what you will about Fresno's success against the upper echelon, but they have inserted themselves into the national discussion better than anybody else in the WAC (oh, Hawaii? Boise State? No no; you've already stopped thinking about them this year, haven't you?). And when you're consigned to the ghettos of college football, that's about the best you can do.
As Chas told you about earlier, Rutgers started off the post-Ray Rice era with a loss to Fresno State at home on Monday night. Of course, while Chas and many other are wondering if the Scarlet Knights loss has something to do with not having their human bowling ball, I think there's another reason behind the team's lackluster performance.
Like maybe the fact that instead of having an opportunity to ogle Erin Andrews on the sideline all night, they had to deal with Rob Stone. That could take the wind out of anybody's sails, and it's something Erin is very sorry about.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy Rob Stone. I mean sideline reporters are pretty useless over all, but at least Stone makes me laugh consistently. Still, if given the choice between laughing at Stone or staring at Erin Andrews, well, I think you know which one I'd choose.
Fresno State made its first trip to the East Coast to play Rutgers. It wasn't a direct flight. They had to stop in Kansas along the way. For the first half, they played that way (even if they did get to New Jersey on Saturday). Sloppy, ragged and just off.
Luckily for Fresno State, Rutgers felt like being a generous host. The score was still 0-0 at halftime as the Scarlet Knights blew chances. Twice inside the 10-yard line with nothing to show for it, plus two missed field goals.
In the second-half, the Bulldogs got on track. Running back Ryan Mathews began wearing down the Rutgers defense, like Ray Rice had done for Rutgers the last couple years. Mathews piled up 163 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Rutgers was opening up a partially completed expanded stadium, and laid an egg. The questions about the Scarlet Knights without Ray Rice to carry the load loom larger. QB Mike Teel could move the ball well between the 20s, but threw costly interceptions -- including one in the endzone. His touch wasn't quite there, and there was no running back to take the pressure off of him -- Kordell Young may have had 94 yards but it took 26 carries (and 13 yards came on one run) to get there.
Fresno State now has a week off to get ready for a visit from Wisconsin.
It's time once again for Blogfrica's finest weekly feature, A Case of the Mondays. We're a little later this week, as we're here to cover this evening's football. Tennessee visits UCLA, since their last trip out west was, um, so much fun. Also, Fresno meets Rutgers in a tilt that will probably involve a fistfight somewhere (because New Jersey is full of thugs! And so is Fresno! And we love stereotyping!).
Join us at 8 PM eastern tonight as we discuss The Week That Was. Is your team looking good? Worried about the conference schedule? And did you enjoy Pitt's one week of fame before it all crashed down?
NCAA Football 
Fresno State has just received the largest pledged donation in its history, $10 million dollars for the athletic department. Exactly how this pledge will be honored still seems shrouded in mystery.
FanHouse's lead-up to college football's signing day makes like Charles Dickens and looks at the 
FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from 
Turkey Legs to Go
Fresno State has worked hard to market itself as the team in the 
For a program in the WAC, life is difficult. Outside of the BCS umbrella, giant paydays are foreign, and nationally televised games are a rarity. Even perfection is only rewarded in the most cursory of manners, yielding a lesser BCS bowl that places the program no closer to the title than if they'd spent the weekend in Shreveport.
Fresno State made its first trip to the East Coast to play Rutgers. It wasn't a direct flight. They had to stop in Kansas along the way. For the first half, they played that way (even if they did get to New Jersey on Saturday). Sloppy, ragged and just off. 
