Saturday, Sep. 13, 2008

Biggest Game Ever: Dogs host Wisconsin tonight in battle of ranked teams

By JOSH DUBOW
The Associated Press

FRESNO -- Playing highly ranked teams has become almost commonplace for Fresno State ever since Pat Hill became coach.

In 12 seasons with the Bulldogs, Hill has lived by his mantra of being willing to play anybody, anywhere at anytime. That philosophy sent Fresno State into some of the most difficult environments in college football -- the horseshoe at Ohio State, the L.A. Coliseum against USC, into Death Valley against LSU, as well as games at Tennessee, Oklahoma and UCLA.

The next big game for Fresno State figures to have a little bit different feel to it, with the 21st-ranked Bulldogs (1-0) getting to stay home instead of getting on a plane to host

No. 10 Wisconsin (2-0) tonight.

"It's the biggest game I've been a part of since I've been here. We understand how big this is for our team, this area and the whole valley," quarterback Tom Brandstater said. "Every time I go out to dinner or go out, people come up to me. There's been more and more pregame buzz than ever before. It's a combination of how high expectations are and having such a good team come here to play."

The game is being billed as the biggest in Bulldog Stadium history. It's the first time two ranked teams have ever squared off there and no team ranked higher than the Badgers has ever visited Fresno.

"I heard a little nickname they've got, the Giant Killers or whatever," Wisconsin linebacker Jaevery McFadden said. "That's a real good team, you've got to respect that."

This game was set up years ago as part of a two-for-one deal that includes two games at Camp Randall Stadium. Fresno State won 32-20 in 2001 and returns to Madison next season. The teams also played at Camp Randall Stadium in 2002 as part of a separate deal, with Wisconsin winning 23-21.

A win against Wisconsin is necessary if the Dogs want to make it to the BCS this season.

"Our goal is to win every game. If we do that I'm sure the BCS will be calling," Brandstater said. "This is one of the big ones to push us over the edge. "