Most talent scouts will say the '95 WAC team with the most NFL-caliber talent is Fresno State.

Yet the Bulldogs, after a fine start, are on the verge of a second consecutive losing season for the first time since '80-81.Despite plenty of talent, it seems, Jim Sweeney's club hasn't put it all together.

While the Bulldogs have lost six of their last eight games, they remain dangerous - especially at home. BYU needs a win over Fresno State Saturday (3 p.m. kickoff) to earn a piece of the WAC title and keep their hopes for an 18th straight bowl berth alive.

"Fresno State is a very explosive offensive football team," BYU coach LaVell Edwards said. "They were one of the preseason championship picks. There is a lot at stake . . . We still have a shot at the championship and that is what we are aiming for."

Fresno State (5-6 overall, 2-5 in the WAC) started the season with three consecutive non-league wins. But a last-second loss to Utah in their fourth game sent the 'Dogs on a downward spiral - perhaps hitting its lowest point last week in a 34-10 loss at Wyoming.

Still, the Bulldogs have put up impressive offensive numbers this season. Fresno is second in the WAC and ninth in the nation in total offense, averaging 459 yards per game - 286 of them through the air.

The Bulldogs have used two junior quarterbacks this season: Richie Donati (1,890 yards, 12 TDs) and Jim Arellanes (1,202 yards, 11 TDs). Arellanes, a junior college transfer, has started four games including the past three. He will be the likely starter Saturday, but Sweeney will not hesitate to go with Donati if he feels the need.

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The Bulldogs' receiving corps has been listed as one of the nation's best by a couple of different publications. Charlie Jones, Fresno's all-time leading receiver, has 66 catches for 1,123 yards this year, while Jahine Arnold (48 catches, 888 yards) and Brian Roberson (47, 612) are also threats.

Fullback Reggie Brown, the Bulldogs' top rusher (694 yards), is questionable after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery two weeks ago. Tailbacks Michael Pittman (531 yards) and Jerome Oliver (530 yards) are Fresno's other leading ball carriers.

The Bulldog defense has given up yardage generously, however. Opponents average 464 yards and 31 points per outing. Free safely Omar Stoutmire, has a team-best 178 tackles.

"A win would put us at the break-even mark; we wouldn't have a losing season," Sweeney said. "It's a matter of playing for pride. As far as being a spoiler, that isn't the motivation for us. The motivation for us is to send our seniors out on a high note."

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