Las Vegas Bowl monitoring changing landscape

LV Bowl officials unfazed by College football playoff

The Las Vegas Bowl had its annual luncheon last week, and it was the fanciest yet, taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel with some big hitters in the room.

ESPN analyst Rod Gilmore was the guest speaker, and while celebrating the bowl, he also noted the uncertainty ahead with the advent of the College Football Playoff and how it might affect the bowls.

Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti also is thinking about how the future could change.

“Having a four-team playoff probably isn’t going to affect a lot of people,” he said. “Most of the experts, and I’m in the camp, believe that they’re going to expand it from four to eight. I think it’s only a matter of time. How quickly they do that, I don’t know.

“The bowls are going to be around. Quite frankly, they’re not going anywhere. It’s what bowls are going to be around. There are some bowls that don’t draw very well. Maybe their teams aren’t good for television ratings. ... We’re in a great position.”

Saccenti is correct this bowl is better situated than many to survive even if the playoff system eventually doubles its number of teams.

That’s apparent because ESPN again has chosen to put this year’s game, Dec. 20 at Sam Boyd Stadium, on ABC. Nearly every other bowl is on ESPN, as are the playoff semifinals and national championship.

There also is stability with the local game, having contracts with the Mountain West and Pac-12 Conference through 2019.

“We have good community support,” Saccenti said. “We sell tickets. We have TV ratings. We have great matchups.

“We have to keep working harder and keep getting better.”

AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST

UNLV released its injury report Tuesday, and 31 players were listed as at least questionable. That includes 14 players out for Saturday’s game at San Diego State, including running backs David Greene (leg) and Shaquille Murray-Lawrence (leg), safeties Peni Vea (neck) and Mike Horsey (back), wide receiver Marcus Sullivan (leg), guard Eric Noone (leg) and linebacker Iggy Porchia (undisclosed). Linebackers Trent Langham (leg) and Marc Philippi (leg) are doubtful, as are running back George Naufahu (arm), defensive end Najee Johnson (arm), nickel back Sidney Hodge (hand) and kicker Nicolai Bornand (leg). The notable questionable players are wide receivers Devante Davis (hand), Kendal Keys (leg) and Maika Mataele (undisclosed), running back Keith Whitely (leg), defensive end Siuea Vaesau (undisclosed) and guard Nick Gstrein (leg). ... According to the Colorado Springs (Colo.) Gazette, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun called Boise State “clearly one of the 15 most talented teams in college football,” but didn’t vote for the Broncos in the Top 25. ... Boise State ranks second nationally in run defense, giving up 53.5 yards per game. The Broncos have not even allowed a 20-yard run, and for the first time since 2009 have limited four consecutive opponents to less than 100 yards. ... Colorado State, which plays at Boston College, will have a walkthrough Friday on the New England Patriots’ practice field. ... Fresno State has allowed 23 plays of 20 yards or more. ... UNR hopes to win on the road for the first time under second-year coach Brian Polian when the Wolf Pack play at San Jose State. They are 0-7 in away games under him. ... Joe Gray is replacing Blake Jurich at quarterback for San Jose State. ... Utah State coach Matt Wells said he didn’t know whether quarterback Chuckie Keeton (knee) will return for next week’s game at Brigham Young. The Aggies are off this week. ... Wyoming receives $1 million for playing at Michigan State.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Boise State (3-1, 1-0 MW). Last game: Defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 34-9. Next game: at Air Force, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 42-20 in 2013. Line: Boise State -12½.

2. Colorado State (2-1, 0-1). Last game: Defeated UC Davis 49-21. Next game: at Boston College, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 35-21 in 2003. Line: Boston College -6.

3. UNR (2-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Arizona 35-28. Next game: at San Jose State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 38-16 in 2013. Line: UNR -3½.

4. San Diego State (1-2, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Oregon State 28-7. Next game: vs. UNLV, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 45-19 in 2013. Line: San Diego State -16.

5. Utah State (2-2, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Arkansas State 21-14 in overtime. Next game: at Brigham Young, Oct. 3. Last meeting: Lost 31-14 in 2013. Line: N/A.

6. Wyoming (3-1, 1-0). Last game: Defeated Florida Atlantic 20-19. Next game: at Michigan State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 34-16 in 1977. Line: Michigan State -31.

7. Air Force (2-1, 0-1). Last game: Defeated Georgia State 48-38. Next game: vs. Boise State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 42-20 in 2013. Line: Boise State -12½.

8. Fresno State (1-3, 0-0). Last game: Defeated Southern Utah 56-16. Next game: at New Mexico, Friday. Last meeting: Won 69-28 in 2013. Line: Fresno State -5.

9. Hawaii (1-3, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Colorado 21-12. Next game: at Rice, Oct. 4. Last meeting: Lost 41-29 in 2004. Line: N/A.

10. San Jose State (1-2, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Minnesota 24-7. Next game: vs. UNR, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 38-16 in 2013. Line: UNR -3½.

11. UNLV (1-3, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Houston 47-14. Next game: at San Diego State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 45-19 in 2013. Line: San Diego State -16.

12. New Mexico (1-2, 0-0). Last game: Defeated New Mexico State 38-35. Next game: vs. Fresno State, Friday. Last meeting: Lost 69-28 in 2013. Line: Fresno State -5.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Colorado State at Boston College. The Eagles already have beaten Southern California, but Colorado State is just a six-point underdog on the road. It’s a good measuring-stick game for the Rams, whose only loss was at Boise State. They also can give the Mountain West a much-needed notable out-of-conference victory.

MARK ANDERSON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL