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FACTS & STATS: Site: Qualcomm Stadium (54.000) -- San Diego, California. Television: CBSSN. Home Record: FSU 2-4, SDSU 3-3. Away Record: FSU 2-3, SDSU 4-1. Neutral Record: FSU 0-1, SDSU 0-0. Conference Record: FSU 3-4, SDSU 4-3. Series Record: San Diego State leads, 26-20-4.

GAME NOTES: A very disappointing season comes to a merciful end this Saturday as the Fresno State Bulldogs clash with the San Diego State Aztecs in non- conference action at Qualcomm Stadium.

Always with high expectations heading into new seasons, the Bulldogs and head coach Pat Hill were dealt a tough hand in 2011 and have just four wins to show for their efforts, just three of those against members of the Football Bowl Subdivision. Last weekend, the team hosted San Jose State and bowed in a 27-24 decision which was not only the team's fourth loss in the last five outings but also the first home defeat against SJSU in 24 years.

As for the Aztecs, they have enough wins to make it to the postseason again this year, showing a mark of 7-4, but at home the team is barely average at just 3-3 overall. In a highly competitive Mountain West Conference, SDSU took care of UNLV on the road last week, 31-14, the team's third win in four tries which means it is assured of having a winning record in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1995-96.

In terms of the all-time series, SDSU is on top by a count of 26-20-4, although the most recent encounter went in favor of the Bulldogs, 16-14, back in 2002.

Robbie Rouse ran for a game-high 151 yards and scored twice on the ground for the Bulldogs last weekend, but the team still sent the seniors off with a loss to San Jose State. Quarterback Derek Carr continued to show progress as he converted 19-of-28 passes for 276 yards and a score, while Isaiah Burse turned into his favorite receiver for the outing with seven catches for a game-high 135 yards. While Carr was finding his way in the offense for the Bulldogs this season, Rouse was the one keeping it all together and trying to give the team a chance to succeed with his 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, his average of 124.4 ypg ranking him first in the conference and eighth nationally. Carr has managed to produce 24 TDs through the air, 11 of which have gone to Jalen Saunders who is second on the unit with 47 catches.

The run defense for the Bulldogs was on-point against San Jose State, limiting the visitors to just 61 net yards on 24 attempts, but it was the pass defense that couldn't keep up as the Spartans threw for 363 yards and a couple of touchdowns to keep Fresno State out of the win column yet again. L.J. Jones did finish with a team-best nine tackles and one fumble recovery, while Isaiah Green posted an interception that he returned 12 yards, but not once did FSU post a sack or even a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. On the season, Fresno State ranked fourth in the conference and 67th nationally with 5.5 TFL and was fifth in the WAC and 79th in the country with 1.67 sacks per contest so getting pressure up the field was clearly not a strong suit for the group. Because of that lack of pressure, the pass defense was constantly put to the test and allowed 268.3 ypg (103rd) which inevitably led to 35.2 ppg allowed which was second-highest in the conference.

The thing that makes the San Diego State offense so dangerous is that it operates just as well on the ground as it does through the air and when one aspect is not clicking the other picks up the slack. Needing a spirited effort to bounce back from an early 14-0 deficit against UNLV, the Aztecs turned to running back Ronnie Hillman who responded with a game-high 192 yards and two touchdowns on 32 rushing attempts. Ryan Lindley wasn't nearly as effective through the air for the squad as he completed just 13-of-29 passes for 152 yards, but still he tossed a couple of TDs in order to dismiss the Rebels. Hillman is not only first in the conference at this stage, he is fourth in the entire nation in rushing with 134.4 ypg, his 17 touchdown runs helping to put opponents in the cross hairs while Lindley is free to throw for 294.6 ypg and a total of 28 TDs this season.

Early on the run defense for the Aztecs was tested as UNLV running back Tim Cornett hit the end zone twice in a span of just over four minutes, but after that the group clamped down in all phases. On those first two TD drives UNLV was able to move the ball a total of 142 yards on 15 plays, but for the entire game the Rebels were permitted just 261 yards of total offense so clearly the SDSU defense got the wake-up call they were needing. Overall this season the pass defense has been the most effective for the Aztecs, giving up just 186.7 ypg which is third-best in the conference and 16th in the nation, but the run defense has been an issue a bit too often. Through 11 games the group has given up 189.1 ypg on the ground and even though it has them ranked third in the MWC, it is actually just 95th on a national scale and that's something that has to be addressed with Rouse coming in this weekend.

In past years under coach Hill, the defense always seemed to take a step forward when the team needed a strong effort. But this is not that same group, and trying to slow down a two-pronged attack like SDSU has in Hillman and Lindley is easier said than done.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: San Diego State 38, Fresno State 21