Tim DeRuyter hasn’t been the football coach at Fresno State for a year yet.

After this season, he won’t even be in the same conference as Boise State.

In the big picture of his tenure with the Bulldogs — however long it lasts — Saturday’s game on the blue turf against No. 24 Boise State shouldn’t figure prominently.

But it will. And he knows it.

The Bulldogs’ struggles against the Broncos — 1-10 since 2001, when they began playing in the same conference — were a factor in the demise of former coach Pat Hill.

“I think this game has been a barometer for our program the last few years and it’s part of the reason why some people were disenchanted,” DeRuyter told The Fresno Bee. “We’re making some strides. But I think in a lot of people’s minds in the city of Fresno and in the (San Joaquin) Valley, they want to see how we stack up this year, and that’s going to be our challenge to our guys: ‘Who are we? We think we have a chance to be pretty good. Let’s find out on Saturday.’”

Or, as linebacker Patrick Su’a told the Bee: “I’m tired of it. They’re a great team. They’ve got a good program. But it’s the new 2012 Bulldogs football team here. We’ve got a new strategy, new plays, new players, same players with new abilities. I want it done. We’re going to go get it.”

That hunger can be powerful — and it’s one reason the high-scoring Bulldogs could be a threat to the Broncos, who won the past two meetings by a combined 101 points.

The Broncos, who have held the Milk Can trophy since winning the rivalry game in 2006, have taken note of the Bulldogs’ new passion — and they say they’ll match it.

“Any time a team is dominating like these guys have been, they’re going to play with that different swagger,” Boise State senior linebacker J.C. Percy said. “It shows up on tape, it shows up in the media. It shows up everywhere.”

Chadd Cripe: 377-6398, Twitter: @IDS_BroncoBeat