New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico Bowl Saturday in Albuquerque, the 2009 College Bowl Season kicks off with the New Mexico Bowl featuring the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Wyoming Cowboys.

The Bulldogs head into their second straight New Mexico Bowl lead by the nation's top rusher. Ryan Matthews and his 151.3 rushing yards per game looks to erase the memory of last season's heartbreaking loss to Colorado State against a Wyoming team that may just be happy to be there.

NCAA odds makers are calling the Bulldogs a heavy favorite in this one with the Vegas line sitting at, Fresno State -10.5 and the total in the contest set at 55.

In last years game, Fresno State carried an eight-point lead over Colorado State into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs couldn't hold it and gave up 20 points in the final period to lose 40-35.

This
season, Fresno State makes their 10th bowl appearance in the last 11 seasons under coach Pat Hill, and the Bulldogs are looking to leave Albuquerque with a victory this time.

"We are a much different team, a more confident team than when we came to New Mexico a year ago," said Hill. "We were not a strong team at the end of last season and the fourth quarter against Colorado State showed that."

At 6-6, Wyoming won its final game to become bowl eligible. The Cowboys will be playing in their first bowl game since 2004 when they beat UCLA 24-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Although Wyoming became bowl eligible, they kind of back into it. The Cowboys lost four of their last six games and were shutout in two of those losses.

Their offense will not be able to keep up with Fresno State's. Take the Bulldogs and give the 10.5 points. this one might get ugly.