The Fresno State Bulldogs will square off against the Abilene Christian Wildcats to open the 2015 season. Below is the Fresno State vs. Abilene Christian prediction, as well as an in-depth game preview. 

Fresno State vs. Abilene Christian Prediction & Preview

Why You Need To Care

It would’ve fallen into the category of 2014’s Best Game You Didn’t See, but considering Abilene Christian’s wildly heartbreaking 38-37 loss to Georgia State opened up the season, you might have caught a little bit of it. As it turned out, the Wildcats were pretty good on the way to a 6-6 season thanks to a fun offense that should be able to put up points in bunches again. 

As interesting as the Wildcats might be, consider this Fresno State’s preseason game. The Bulldogs need a massive tune-up with three road games in the next four weeks starting with a date at Ole Miss and following it up with Utah before diving into Mountain West play. Coming off an interesting 6-8 season with an 0-3, the idea is to start out hot and rev up an offense that struggled way too often, especially through the air. 

Why Abilene Christian Will Win

Is the Fresno State defense possibly going to be any better? Starting corners Charles Washington and Malcolm Washington are back, but they and the rest of the Bulldog secondary couldn’t stop anyone from throwing a forward pass, allowing over 250 yards per game getting torched time and again. ACU has a nice quarterback in Parker McKenzie along with veteran receivers Cedric Gilbert and Cade Stone. Throw in dangerous back De’Andre Brown, and the Wildcats have weapons. 

Why Fresno State Will Win

The ACU offense can rock and roll, but the defense won’t be able to come up with enough meaningful stops. The Bulldogs should be able to ease into the season by bulldozing their way behind Marteze Waller and a front line that should grow into one of the Mountain West’s more effective. ACU will have its moments, especially through the air, but Fresno State should be able to take target practice, and it needs it with … 

Player Who Matters

… Zack Greenlee taking over at quarterback. The sophomore was in a wee bit of a battle for the job, but it was going to take something truly special to knock him off the track he appeared to be heading on all offseason. This is the game he needs to use to get the timing down, because Ole Miss isn’t going to allow any part of the running game to work next week. It’ll be up to Greenlee to throw effectively – it has to start against ACU. 

What’s Going To Happen?

It should be an interesting game, at least offensively. Fresno State will be able to do just about anything it wants offensively. ACU should have a few interesting scoring drives to make this a wee bit of a fight, but Greenlee and the Fresno State offense will always be several steps ahead. 

Fresno State vs. Abilene Christian Score Prediction

It’s that time, folks. The Fresno State vs. Abilene Christian prediction is …

Fresno State 45, Abilene Christian 20

Broadcast: CampusInsiders.com