FACTS & STATS: Site: Rutgers Stadium (41,500) -- New Brunswick, New Jersey. Television: ESPN. Home Record: FSU 0-0, Rutgers 0-0. Away Record: FSU 0-0, Rutgers 0-0. Neutral Record: FSU 0-0, Rutgers 0-0. Conference Record: FSU 0-0, Rutgers 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: While Rutgers has somewhat of a soft non-conference schedule this season, the team could not avoid having to face a tough opening opponent in Fresno State on Labor Day. Initially this meeting wasn't even part of the schedule, but a cancellation on FSU's slate had the Bulldogs searching for viable, high-profile opposition to kick off the 2008 campaign. Every year under head coach Pat Hill it is the same story for the Bulldogs, search out the toughest competition and challenge them to a war on the field (and hopefully they'll accept). Last year coach Hill lost to the usual suspects over in the Western Athletic Conference, Boise State and Hawaii, but also took a tumble against Oregon in an unsightly 52-21 decision on the road. A week earlier the Bulldogs had a chance to steal away a victory in College Station, but three overtimes proved to be too much for the group in a 47-45 setback to Texas A&M. Nevertheless, FSU still made it to the postseason and proceeded to take out Georgia Tech (40-28) to claim the Humanitarian Bowl. With the win the Bulldogs rebounded from a poor 4-8 record in 2006 to produce a 9-4 mark in 2007. As for the Scarlet Knights and head man Greg Schiano who has been courted by countless programs over the last few years, they had the luxury of opening 2007 with five consecutive home games. But after outscoring the likes of Buffalo, Navy and Norfolk State by a combined 138-27, reality set in and the team bowed to both Maryland and Big East foe Cincinnati in consecutive efforts. Losses to WVU, UConn and Louisville were not enough to keep the team out of the postseason though and the Knights took advantage of that added outing by beating up on Ball State, 52-30, in the International Bowl. Once it was all over Rutgers finished with a record of 8-5 after posting an 11-2 record a year earlier. This game marks the first-ever meeting between the teams and just the third time the Scarlet Knights have faced a representative from the WAC, having already posted a 1-1 mark versus Hawaii over the years.

Although it took him a little time to grow into the position and become the kind of tough-nosed player that coach Hill expects of everyone on the Fresno State roster, quarterback Tom Brandstater emerges as one of the top signal- callers in the Western Athletic this season. Despite the program operating mostly a running offense last season, one in which Brandtstater himself had three touchdowns on the ground, the quarterback made sure to take advantage of the opportunities he was afforded while in the pocket and turned in a solid 13-game showing that led to his being named the most valuable player in the Humanitarian Bowl. Brandstater finished up with a completion percentage of almost 63.0 and hit for 15 touchdowns. More importantly, he was charged with a mere five interceptions on 337 pass attempts. Giving the quarterback a huge target down the field and across the middle will be tight end Bear Pascoe, the only player on the team to be named to the All-WAC First Team. Running backs Ryan Matthews and Lonyae Miller have already shown a nose for the end zone after posting a combined 21 of the team's 34 rushing touchdowns a season ago.

Despite the run defense ranking eighth in the conference and 85th in the nation a year ago with more than 181 ypg allowed on the ground, the Bulldogs still found a way to explode into the backfield against the opposition. Fresno State ranked second in the WAC in both sacks (2.8 per game) and tackles for loss (7.6), the latter placing the team 14th in the country overall. The same sort of intensity should again be there when it comes to getting after teams beyond the line of scrimmage, but as far as the run defense is concerned, that's another issue. Tackle Jon Monga and defensive end Wilson Ramos bring back some experience on the front line, but they'll have to get the rest of their line mates up to speed in a hurry. Finding a replacement for linebacker and top tackler Marcus Riley will not be an easy task in the least and already coach Hill has expressed a concern about where he's going to find leadership on the unit. In the secondary players like Moses Harris, Marvin Haynes and Damion Owens are ready to make up for an deficiencies that may appear in front of them.

Last year's Scarlet Knights became just the eighth in program history to score at least 300 points in a season, so there's no doubt the squad knows how to find the end zone. The offensive line more than bought enough time for the unit to produce, placing first in the Big East and second in the entire nation in sacks allowed with an average of less than 0.8 per game. However, much of that had to do with Ray Rice and how often he handled the ball coming out of the backfield. Without Rice this season, the Knights will be asking redshirt sophomore Kordell Young to shoulder much of the load. Young, who saw limited time following an injury a year ago, will not have much experienced support coming from the likes of Mason Robinson who some consider a veteran even though he gained only 202 yards last season as a true freshman. Quarterback Mike Teel, who helped direct the 18th-ranked offense in the nation to almost 450 ypg a season ago, will be expected to make up the difference following the loss of Rice who is now in the NFL. On a positive note, Rutgers has plenty of seasoned receivers to turn to, including senior Tiquan Underwood and junior Kenny Britt as they finished among the top three in the league in receiving yards per game in 2007.

A season ago the pass defense for the Scarlet Knights was almost unparallel, ranked second in the Big East and fifth in the nation overall with a mere 170.6 ypg allowed. Because of that added effort the team permitted only 327.6 ypg of total offense, which was third in the league and 17th in the country. To expect similar numbers this season might be asking a bit too much however, with Schiano due to find a replacement for players like Ron Girault, Brandon Renkart and All-American Eric Foster. Without Foster on the front line it will be difficult for the Scarlet Knights to get a heavy push in the trenches, at least early on in the season, but the team hopes that players like Jamaal Westerman and Pete Tverdov will get former part-timers up and running in short order. The group at linebacker will also be rebuilding a bit, using senior Kevin Malast as the lead man after placing second on the team a season ago with 92 tackles. The fact that senior defensive back Courtney Greene, a former two-time all-conference selection, chose to return for another season in New Jersey is certainly good news for the secondary.

Having to rearrange their schedule and now fly all the way across the country will not be easy on the Bulldogs, but if anyone can motivate a team to come out strong in the early going it is coach Hill.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Fresno State 24, Rutgers 14

Monday, September 1st, 4:00 p.m. (et).