It’s going to be a dogfight

SEATTLE — The Fresno State Bulldogs have shown no reluctance to challenge the big boys early in the season.

It’s a subject for debate, though, whether that label applies to this year’s Washington Huskies, the opponent today.

Three years ago, the Bulldogs crashed the national scene with wins over Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin to open the season. Since then, they’ve played but lost to Wisconsin, Oregon, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

“They are a quality football team, great tradition,” Washington coach Keith Gilbertson said. “That’s a solid program. I’m not sure where you get this mid-major stuff. It sounds like college basketball to me.”

Fresno State coach Pat Hill explained that non-Bowl Championship Series schools face “a reverse playoff order” and must be willing to take on big-name opponents to build tradition and a national profile.

“You need to go out there where there is interest nationally and then go out and get it done,” Hill said. “I think the table has been set well for us with our opener at Washington. Our players understand the mission.”

But just how much currency does a win at Washington offer these days?

The Huskies have lost much of the swagger that long accompanied one of the West’s top programs. The Huskies finished first or second in the Pac-10 in 18 of the last 27 years, but they were ordinary a year ago.

Washington finished 6-6 amid the turmoil of former coach Rick Neuheisel’s firing, barely avoiding its first losing season since 1976. And this year’s team no longer has record-setting quarterback Cody Pickett or star receiver Reggie Williams, both gone to the NFL.

Fresno State, by contrast, is 39-16 since 1997 and has reached bowl games in five straight seasons, winning the last three. Still, Hill rejects the suggestion that the Bulldogs should be favored this weekend.

“Going to Seattle and winning is always a difficult prospect,” he said. “I think you’re dealing with a football team that has heard a lot of things about how last year wasn’t a success for them.”

Even with 72,500 noisy fans cheering for Washington, the Bulldogs won’t be intimidated at Husky Stadium. After all, the last Western Athletic Conference team to visit — Nevada — left with a 28-17 win last year.

“They beat UCLA in a bowl game,” Gilbertson said. “Pretty handily they beat Nevada, and we struggled with them, obviously. They’re veteran, well-coached and talented. We know it’s a tough test.”

The Huskies face plenty of questions.

Casey Paus was named the starting quarterback earlier in the week. Last season, Pickett was injured against Oregon and Paus came in to lead five straight scoring drives in a 42-10 victory.

Paus saw mop-up action in five other games in 2003 but won the starting job over the more mobile Isaiah Stanback, with coaches deciding that experience made the difference.

“The fact that we have an inexperienced quarterback is just the way it is,” Gilbertson said. “Down the road, we’re going to have two or three experienced quarterbacks. But that’s the hand you have, so play it.”

Paul Pinegar will take snaps for Fresno, one of 52 returning lettermen. As a sophomore last year, he threw for 1,773 yards passing and 11 touchdowns, completing 59 percent of his throws.