The Bulldogs joined Nevada as the two most recent teams to join the Mountain West conference.

The league is expected to lose the BYU Cougars, who are planning on becoming an independent school.

The conference is thrilled to land both teams, saying it just got much better by adding Nevada and Fresno State.

The league already landed Boise State earlier in the summer, a huge coup on the football side of things.

At 6′8 and possessing elite athleticism and shooting touch, George went from a potential late-first round selection to a lock for the lottery in a matter of months. Despite an inconsistent season for Fresno State against perceived inferior opponents, George nevertheless wowed scouts with his raw tools and had NBA teams sold on his upside. For a player of his size, George is an uncanny shooter, evidenced by his 93 percent line at the free throw stripe. Still, he was unable to lead the Bulldogs to a successful season, as the team finished 15-18 and 7-9 in the WAC. George’s questionable motor and basketball IQ have been partly blamed for those results, and cited as reasons for why George was thought by some to be a high-risk pick.

Still, there’s no denying his potential. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas called him “tantalizing” and said, “His potential is undeniable,” during the NBA Draft show.

George may not be quite as well known as some of the other players because he played at a small school.

However, there is nothing small-time about his game, although he still has to shed the “soft” label.

He has quickly risen up draft boards because scouts are intrigued by his combination of size, athleticism and shooting ability.

George just turned 20-years old, so the fact that he is younger than some other players also helps his cause.

Eight starters back on both sides of the ball have hopes high the Fresno State Bulldogs’ football team can continue its growth in 2010.

The Bulldogs went 8-5 a season ago, finishing third in the Western Athletic Conference with 6-2 mark in league action.

The returning starters on defense are highlighted by two All-WAC first-team honorees in defensive end Chris Carter and middle linebacker Ben Jacobs (who led the Bulldogs with 106 tackles). On offense, quarterback Ryan Colburn is back, as is Joe Benardi (one of the top centers in the nation), two-year starter Devan Cunningham at left guard, and No. 2 receiver Jamel Hamier highlight the returnees.

Kevin Goessling, a first-team All-WAC selection, returns at placekicker.

Fresno State kicks things off Sept. 4 against Cincinnati at home. After the bye week on Sept. 11, Fresno State travels to Utah State and Mississippi. Three home games in a row are next: Oct. 2 vs. Cal Poly, Oct. 9 vs. Hawaii and Oct. 16 against New Mexico State, as the Bulldogs play four of the first six in Fresno.

Following consecutive road contests at San Jose State and Louisiana Tech, WAC runner-up Nevada comes to Fresno Nov. 13. The Bulldogs then hit the road to face WAC champion Boise State on Nov. 19. Home games against Idaho and Illinois conclude the schedule.

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It has ben speculated that Hill could be on the way out after an 8-4 regular season, despite his unrivaled success at the California school. But because he’s yet to earn a WAC title outright, there are those that aren’t satisfied and think the program should head in a different direction.

Mathews, meanwhile, could be gone because he has been too successful. After leading the country in rushing this season, Mathews has said he’s considering declaring for the NFL Draft.  His future could be directly tied to Hill’s, too; if Hill is shown the door, it could pave the way for Mathews to say adios to Fresno State. That might be something worth considering for the university brass; with Mathews, the Bulldogs should contend for a WAC title next year.