Cal Poly at Fresno State 9/1/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

On Thursday, the Cal Poly Mustangs visit Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California to play the Fresno State Bulldogs in the opening game of the 2022 college football regular season for both. Cal Poly was 2-9 overall and 1-7 in the  Big Sky Conference last season and is not expected to have a strong season in 2022. The Mustangs continue their rebuild this season and a tough schedule makes it all the more difficult as Cal Poly will be playing against opponents that had a combined record of 84-50 in 2021. 

Cal Poly will be led by quarterback Spencer Brasch, who last season passed for 1,727 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Skakobe Harper is the leading rusher returning after last season gaining 250 yards with three touchdowns. Chris Coleman is the top wide receiver returning and last season had 590 yards and four touchdowns receptions.

The Fresno State Bulldogs were 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain West Conference last season. The Bulldogs will have another strong offense in 2022. Jack Haener is coming off a season where he threw for 4,096 yards with 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Jalen Cooper, who caught 85 passes last season and scored 11 touchdowns and Josh Kelly who caught 52 passes, are back for Fresno State. Transfer Nikko Remigio, from Cal, caught 97 passes last year for the Golden Bears.

Fresno State's defense was overshadowed by its powerful offense last season. However, Fresno State allowed just 21 points and 347 yards per game and has seven starters returning. Defensive end David Perales will be one of the best pass rushers in the Mountain West Conference and Leonard Payne is a big force in the middle of the line. Linebackers Levelle Bailey and Malachi Langley return and and combined for 117 tackles while Evan Williams led Fresno State in tackles last season with 92 at the safety position.