Fresno State Bulldogs 2025 Season Preview

The Fresno State Bulldogs enter the 2025 college football season as a perennial Mountain West contender. After finishing the 2024 season with a 9–4 record, including a decisive New Mexico Bowl win over New Mexico State, head coach Jeff Tedford looks to build on that success with a more experienced roster and high expectations.

While Fresno State doesn’t carry the national brand recognition of Pac-12 alumni like Cal or Stanford, the Bulldogs consistently punch above their weight. They’ve won double-digit games in three of the last five full seasons, and oddsmakers are taking notice. The Bulldogs return several key pieces on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Mikey Keene, who threw for 23 touchdowns in 2024, and wide receiver Jaelen Gill, who led the team in receiving yards.

Fresno’s non-conference schedule includes road trips to UCLA and Cal Poly, but it’s the conference clashes—against teams like Boise State, Air Force, and San Diego State—that will determine whether the Bulldogs can capture another Mountain West crown.

Fresno State Bulldogs Point Spreads

Fresno State was one of the most profitable ATS (against the spread) teams in the Mountain West in 2024, finishing 8-5 ATS. That trend could continue in 2025, especially as they’re expected to be short favorites in most home games and slight underdogs in road tilts.

Here’s a sample point spread for a Bulldogs game:

• Fresno State -4.5 (-110) vs. San Jose State
• Boise State -2.5 (-110) vs. Fresno State

In the first matchup, Fresno State would need to win by five points or more to cover the spread. In the second, Fresno can still cover in a close road game even with a loss by two or fewer.

Betting trends to consider:

• Fresno is 5-1 ATS in its last six conference games
• The Bulldogs were 3-2 ATS as underdogs in 2024

Fresno State Bulldogs Over/Unders

Totals betting is where Bulldogs games get interesting. With Mikey Keene’s efficient passing and a defense that held opponents under 25 PPG last year, sportsbooks often peg Fresno games in the mid-50s range.

Typical total lines might look like:

• Fresno State vs. UNLV – O/U 56.5
• Fresno State vs. Utah State – O/U 52.0

If the game goes into a shootout, an over bet could hit quickly. But Fresno also had three games finish under 40 total points last season, especially when the defense clamped down.

Totals trends:

• Fresno went 7-6 to the over in 2024
• The under hit in 4 of their last 6 games to close the season

Fresno State Bulldogs Moneylines

Moneyline bets on Fresno State tend to offer solid value, especially when they’re short underdogs. The Bulldogs rarely get blown out and are always a live dog, even on the road.

Example moneyline odds:

• Fresno State +140 vs. Air Force
• Fresno State -190 vs. Hawaii

A $100 bet at +140 returns $140 in profit, while a bet at -190 pays $52.63. Fresno's ability to win close games makes them a popular pick among sharp bettors in moneyline parlays.

Moneyline trends:

• 6-1 straight-up at home in 2024
• Pulled off two upsets as underdogs

Fresno State Bulldogs Props

Player props are growing in popularity for Fresno State football, particularly for QB Mikey Keene and standout wideouts like Jaelen Gill and Jalen Moss. In rushing markets, Malik Sherrod is the name to watch after leading the team in carries and all-purpose yards last year.

Sample prop bets:

• Keene passing yards O/U 244.5
• Sherrod anytime TD scorer (-105)
• Gill receptions O/U 5.5

These markets tend to post closer to game day, so monitoring player injury reports and depth chart updates is critical for gaining an edge.

Fresno State Bulldogs Futures

The Bulldogs are once again in the hunt for the Mountain West title, and oddsmakers reflect that confidence. While they trail behind favorites like Boise State and Air Force, they offer strong value for bettors looking to invest in a veteran-led team.

Key 2025 futures:

• To Win Mountain West: +500
• Season Win Total: O/U 8.5
• To Make New Year’s Six Bowl: +1500

The Bulldogs have the schedule and returning talent to make a run at double-digit wins, and if they can knock off one of the top dogs early, those futures odds will tighten quickly.