The 2005 season ended with three losses, including a Liberty Bowl loss to Tulsa, along with a number of losses of senior leadership, including senior quarterback Paul Pinegar and running back Wendell Mathis, both of whom were 2nd in the WAC in passing efficiency and rushing yards per game, respectively.
Going into the 2008 season, the Bulldogs found themselves ranked in several national preseason polls, including Athlon, ranking the Bulldogs #25,[REF] CBS Sportsline ranking the team #24,[REF] and ESPN ranking them at #21 [REF].