Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV has to be envious of Fresno

Dean Juipe

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 9:43 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4084.

If UNLV had a sister university here on the mainland it would be Fresno State. The schools -- including their goals and resources -- are remarkably similar, and have been for years.

That's one reason it's both exciting to see Fresno marching through its football schedule like Grant took Richmond, and disappointing that UNLV has not done the same.

The Bulldogs are apt to throw a wrench into the convoluted BCS rankings that determine the post-season bowl games, while the Rebels are attempting to inch their way back to a .500 record and respectability.

These paths could have easily been reversed, and, had they, a capacity crowd would be expected Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium when the Rebels host Colorado State. Instead, something less than a full house is anticipated.

Fresno, playing at home tonight against Boise State on ESPN, seems assured of its 18th straight sellout at Bulldog Stadium, where the team has been playing to 100.8 percent of its 41,031 capacity.

Fresno, as you're likely aware, is 6-0, has cracked the top 10 in both major polls and is currently ranked No. 7 by the BCS. The Bulldogs handed Colorado its only loss of the season and then added wins over Oregon State, Wisconsin, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech and, last week, Colorado State.

Of their seven remaining games, it's said Rice on Nov. 3 will likely provide the Bulldogs with their toughest test. If that's actually the case, it's a good bet Fresno State will finish 12-0.

Right now there are 11 remaining Division I teams with perfect records, and it's surmised that seven of those teams have a realistic shot of staying undefeated through the regular season. If that happens, how will the BCS treat a Fresno program it would rather place in a lesser bowl when the Bulldogs may deserve a spot in a national championship-caliber game?

The anguish such a decision would bring to a BCS hierarchy that routinely favors only the biggest schools from the largest conferences is reason enough to holler "Go Bulldogs." Anyone enamored of underdogs, as even a good team from a second-line conference such as the WAC is automatically labeled, has to be pulling for Fresno.

Besides, as far as I know I still have a vote for the Heisman Trophy and right now I'm clearly campaigning on behalf of Fresno quarterback David Carr. Tenth in the country in passing efficiency -- 140 for 216, with 14 touchdowns, two interceptions and 1,800 yards -- Carr is both the physical catalyst and the emotional leader of a team that came through the brutal portion of its schedule with flying colors, its "ugly" overtime win over CSU last week notwithstanding.

If only UNLV were in the same comfortable boat.

The 2-4 Rebels are still entertaining bowl aspirations and Fresno-like dreams of running the table, but those are goals that were extensively modified following their 0-4 start.

Let's face it: Fresno State is doing what UNLV had hoped to do this year, which is win a bunch of games and leave the BCS big shots with a traumatic decision.

Those of us who strive for and appreciate a little diversity can only hope Fresno stays on its undefeated course. It beats pulling for Goliath.