College of San Mateo offensive coordinator Bret Pollack sticks to his guns. When asked who would be the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback Saturday night against San Jose City College, he said, “Is it Friday yet?”

Pollack is a firm believer in using whoever practices the best leading up to the game earns the start. Last week, freshman Julian Edelman found out Friday he would start — over Kevin Linnell and Jose Avina — Saturday against West Hills. It was his first college start and he appeared to make the most of it. Not only did he lead the team in rushing, carrying the ball 13 times for 79 yards, he shredded the West Hills secondary for 136 yards and four touchdowns, completing 9 of 14 passes in the process.

“I thought he did a good job,” Pollack said. “He gave it air to let guys make plays. He’s starting to figure out game plans.”

That performance just gave opposing defenses one more thing to think about. Everyone knows that CSM likes to run the ball — the Bulldogs are the only community college team in the state that has rushed for over 1,000 yards already and are the fourth-ranked offensive team in the state, 483 yards per game. The threat of a passing game makes the Bulldogs that much more formidable.

“We’re not just a rushing team. We have quarterbacks that can throw the ball down the field,” said slotback Delbecio Ben. “We know we can throw the ball (but) our run game has been pretty much unstoppable.”

Pollack would like to have a balanced offense, but he’s more than satisified to take what the defense gives him. He noticed against West Hills, the Falcons defense had eight defenders within five yards of the line of scrimmage, and had the safety creeping up. The Falcons were intent on taking away the run and daring the Bulldogs to pass.

“If you’re going to do that, you’d better have corners that can cover,” Pollack said.

On the road again

The Bulldogs hit the road for the second time this season, and for the second time it will be a short trip.

CSM opened with a road game against Chabot in Hayward and will board the buses again for another short trip to San Jose City College.

It’s a far cry from last season when the Bulldogs had to make trips to College of the Sequoias (Visalia), West Hills (Coalinga), Gavilan (Gilroy) and Sacramento.

“The road trips aren’t bad this year,” said head coach Larry Owens. “Last year was tough. (It’s) a little easier schedule this year.”

The Bulldogs longest road trips this year are Oct. 15 at Butte and Nov. 12 at Santa Rosa.

Despite driving only about a half hour south for Saturday’s game, Owens still treats it like any other road game.

“It’s so close, it shouldn’t affect us that much,” Owens said. “You change a little bit because you’re going to someone else’s house.”

NorCal Conference dominating

How strong is the NorCal Conference? Four of the conference’s six teams — City College of San Francisco, Butte, Santa Rosa and Foothill, all 3-0 — are all ranked in the top-10 in the state. San Mateo (2-1) is ranked 20th in the state while Sacramento, at 1-2, is ranked No. 20 in Northern California.

Last week, five of the six teams won (Sacramento was the only team that loss). In those five wins, the NorCal Conference teams outscored their opponents by a combined 202-6.

“It’s definitely the toughest conference, in my opinion, in the state,” Owens said.

Up next: CSM at San Jose City College, 7 p.m. Saturday

These two programs are heading in opposite directions, and the disparity between the two has grown over several seasons.

The Jaguars are coming off a 42-3 loss to Chabot last week and are ranked 64th out of 72 teams in the state in total offense, averaging 183 yards per game. Their defense is not much better, allowing 460 yards.

“They’re a team that’s struggling,” Owens said. “They’re trying to find an identity. They brought in a new (coaching) staff (this season).”

Despite San Jose’s struggles, Owens said the mission Saturday is to focus on the Bulldogs improving over last week’s 42-0 win over West Hills.

Besides, Owens is a firm believer that anything can happen.

“To me, any team can beat any team,” Owens said. “Just ask Stanford (which was upset by UC Davis Saturday).”