College of San Mateo football coach Bret Pollack can’t afford to pick and choose which games to get up for this season. Pollack’s Bulldogs have one doozy after another, starting with College of Siskiyous, ranked No. 16 in the state, Saturday at CSM at 1 p.m.

The teams have never played each other, but scrimmaged at CSM back in 1992.

“I don’t know what to expect,” said Pollack, a 1988 graduate of Hillsdale High in San Mateo. “I know they’re going to be physical and they’re going to be tough. That’s their type of football and that’s our type of football. Roll the dice, here we go. It’s going to be a good test right off the bat.”

The Bulldogs, 10-1 a year ago, tangle with the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Week 3, traveling to Butte College in Oroville. The Roadrunners dealt the Bulldogs their only loss last season, a 28-20 thriller. Butte and CSM are no longer in the same conference.

CSM, ranked No. 4 in the state and No. 2 in Northern California, is at No. 9 American River College in Sacramento in Week 5, the final nonleague game.

In the new Bay 6 Conference, CSM starts with state No. 18 Santa Rosa at home Oct. 18, closing with No. 6 City College of San Francisco on the road Nov. 15. The rest of the conference includes Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, De Anza College in Cupertino and Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.

The Bulldogs had a setback when likely starting quarterback Willy Fonua suffered a knee injury playing basketball in the offseason. Fonua played his high school football at Menlo-Atherton.

Pollack is staging a competition between Jeremy Cannon and Justin Burgess. Cannon prepped at Northwest Cabarrus in Concord, N.C., while Burgess prepped at McNary High in Keizer, Ore.

“They’re battling it out,” Pollack said. “They’re very good athletes. They can run, they can throw.”

The Bulldogs run the popular spread-option offense, which calls for a lot of passing. The strength of the Bulldogs’ offense is the receiving corps.

“We have a very strong group of receivers,” Pollack said. “We’re four-deep, pretty good.”

Pollack listed returners Kevin Kutchera, Elias Vargas and Raeshawn Lee as his top receivers.

“They all played last year and did a really good job as freshmen,” Pollack said.

Other receivers who should play include Atu Ohuafi, Devontae Young and Johnny Niupalau.

Former St. Francis-Mountain View star back Durrell Crooks could carry the mail for the Bulldogs this season.

“Crooks has done a good job between his freshman and sophomore year,” Pollack said. “Kids mature at different times. Durrell has done a good job of losing weight and getting in shape. He ran hard in our scrimmages. I’m interested to see how he does.”

Some of the most experienced offensive linemen include Woodside High product Kiola Mahoni, Mountain View High alum Malik Letatau — a transfer from Foothill College — and Anthony Ayllon.

The Bulldogs’ defense should be strong once again.

“We’re very fast on defense,” Pollack said. “We run to the football well.”

Inside linebacker Randy Allen was hurt in the first game last year and was out for the season, but he is expected to man one starting spot. Mister Marshall-Cotton, a defensive back, endured the same fate as Allen, but is ready to give it a go.

“There were a couple issues that happened last year that make us look younger than we really are,” Pollack said.

Other key defenders for the Bulldogs include Menlo-Atherton product Taylor Mashack, a defensive back, and Adam Sagapolu, a defensive lineman. Jordan Fogel, a safety, is expected to contribute heavily for the Bulldogs.

A few local players are in the mix, Pollack said. Palo Alto High grad Matt Tolbert transferred to CSM from Utah State, where he redshirted. Tolbert is listed as a slot back.

“Matt arrived a little late,” Pollack said. “There is a bit of a learning curve.”

Menlo-Atherton High alum Tom Bucka should see time at defensive end.

“Bucka is a big, strong kid,” Pollack said. “He’s doing a good job for us.”

Peter Tuipulotu, an inside linebacker from Serra High in San Mateo, suffered an injury and is out indefinitely.

“Peter will be suited, but he’s limited right now,” Pollack said. “He’ll be out there, but it’s going to take some time.”

Ryan Popolizio, an offensive tackle from St. Francis High in Mountain View, should see some playing time, Pollack said.

The winner of the Bay 6 will automatically qualify for a berth in the four-team Northern California playoffs. The winner of the playoff will play the best team in the South in the state title game Dec. 13.