Fresno State Bulldogs Roster 2019 Bulldogs Roster

Head Coach: Jeff Tedford        2017 Salary: $1,550,000        Offensive Coordinator: Kalen DeBoer       Defensive Coordinator: Bert Watts         

Stadium: Bulldog Stadium       Surface: Turf        City: Fresno        State: California In college football, you're just not supposed to go from a one-win team to double-digit victories and a chance at your conference title in one season. Well, Jeff Tedford pulled off that feat at Fresno State, taking the Bulldogs from the bottom to the top in one season. With one of the largest classes of returning players in the nation, Fresno State looks to do even better in 2018.

Eight Return on the Offensive Side of the Ball

Former Oregon State Beaver, Marcus McMaryion is back at quarterback, and he'll have three of his prime receiving targets back as well. KeeSean Johnson snagged 77 passes in 2017, and could potentially break the century mark this season. The Bulldogs have three of their top pass receivers back, but a local kid came home in the off-season. Former Oklahoma Sooner, Michiah Quick, may quickly turn into a superstar. While the offensive line returns three starters, none of them will be at the same position. As the O-line begins to gel, the Bulldog running attack should follow. If they have trouble, that will put a lot of pressure on McMaryion and his core of pass catchers.

Looking for the D-Line to Build on a Stellar Defense

Like the offense, the Fresno State defense returns eight key players. However, unlike the offensive line, the defense lost everyone put its centerpiece. Nose tackle Kevin Atkins will need to be a force in the middle while a new pair of defensive ends gets familiar with the scheme. The Bulldog's defensive scheme will be similar to the one that earned them the 15th ranking nationally. However, gone after only one season, is former coordinator Orlondo Steinauer. Enter last season's linebacker coach, Bert Watts. Watts inherits a tremendous cast of linebackers and defensive backs.

This is the strongest part of the 2018 Fresno State roster. The Bulldog defense ranked 10th in the country in scoring defense, boosting their overall statistical achievement for being stingy with yards allowed. Fresno State made one of the more remarkable turnarounds in all of college football last season. While double-digit wins may not be a realistic goal, they will be a top contender for the Mountain West title.

After a tough early schedule that sees them travel to both Minnesota and UCLA, the Bulldogs will dive into the meat of their MWC schedule. With four players listed on college football's vaunted awards hopefuls, don't be surprised to see these Bulldogs in a higher profile bowl game in 2018.