Rutgers @ Fresno State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2008 ) Fresno State 24, Rutgers 7

Thursday’s season opener against Rutgers can’t come soon enough for Fresno State, which has been eager to get back on the field since its embarrassing loss to SMU in the Hawaii Bowl. Rutgers is looking to build on coach Kyle Flood’s successful first year, when the Scarlet Knights claimed a share of the Big East title. The teams are meeting for the second time ever, with Fresno State winning 24-7 in Rutgers nearly five years ago to the day.

The Bulldogs feature the Mountain West preseason offensive and defensive players of the year in quarterback Derek Carr and safety Derron Smith, and they were a near-unanimous pick to win the West Division of the Mountain West in the preseason media poll. Expectations are also high at Rutgers, which is playing one year in the new American Athletic Conference before joining the Big Ten next season. The Scarlett Knights will be tested at Bulldog Stadium, where Fresno State went 6-0 last season and outscored opponents by a total of 190 points.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Fresno State -10

ABOUT RUTGERS (2012: 9-4, 5-2 Big East): Quarterback Gary Nova returns after an inconsistent sophomore year, but he has plenty of weapons - junior wideout Brandon Crawford had 10 touchdown receptions last season – and the offensive line boasts four returning starters. The Scarlett Knights’ primary concern is on defense, where only four starters return. Fresno State’s fast-paced offense could mean trouble for an inexperienced secondary, which includes two freshmen starters in cornerbacks Nadir Barnwell and Anthony Cioffi.

ABOUT FRESNO STATE (2012: 9-4, 7-1 Mountain West): The Bulldogs led the conference in scoring last season, and second-year coach Tim DeRuyter wants to play even faster this year. Carr could be a Heisman Trophy darkhorse after throwing for 4,104 yards and 37 touchdowns last season, and his favorite target returns in sophomore wide receiver Davante Adams, who had 14 touchdowns last year. Eight starters return to the opportunistic Fresno State defense, which had 35 takeaways a year ago.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Fresno State has won eight of its last nine openers, including the 2008 game at Rutgers.

2. The Scarlett Knights are seeking their fourth straight season-opening victory.

3. Rutgers leads the nation with 31 blocked kicks since 2009, and Fresno State is second with 24.

PREDICTION: Fresno State 31, Rutgers 24