MW notes: Broncos or Rams likely in Las Vegas Bowl

With Boise State’s move into the rankings, the Las Vegas Bowl is almost assured of getting a ranked team from the Mountain West.

Boise State checked in at No. 25 in The Associated Press’ rankings, joining Colorado State at No. 21.

Should one of those teams win the conference championship on Dec. 6, it could be headed for one of the big six bowls on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, possibly sending the other team to Las Vegas, which owns the first choice from the Mountain West. Or one of those teams might wind up in Vegas as the league champion for the Dec. 20 game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Boise State entered the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday at No. 23, the highest-rated team outside the power five conferences. Colorado State was not in those rankings.

“I think we’re in great shape,” Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said. “As of right now, Colorado State and Boise State seem to be the two best teams in the conference.”

Utah State also could wind up as the Mountain West champion, putting the Aggies in the argument for Las Vegas. Saccenti also wasn’t counting a West Division team, should it pull off the upset and win the conference championship.

Odds are, however, Boise State or Colorado State will represent the Mountain West in Las Vegas, and that would be an attractive team for the ABC cameras.

The scenario is much trickier in the Pac-12 Conference, where Las Vegas owns the No. 6 selection. Not only are several teams in the mix, but as Saccenti pointed out, each bowl in the pecking order is waiting to see what the one above does on selection day Dec. 7.

One big advantage this year is the Las Vegas Bowl will know much earlier in the day its matchup. The game had to wait until late afternoon in past years because of the Bowl Championship Series show on TV.

Now an announcement should come shortly after noon.

“Hopefully at 12:01 (p.m.), we’re ready to go,” Saccenti said.

AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST

The Mountain West responded Tuesday to UNLV’s concerns regarding the officiating in the Rebels’ 37-35 loss at Hawaii on Saturday, but neither party divulged the details. UNLV athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy released a statement that said the school has “moved on from the Hawai’i situation. We are now in Reno Week and (coach) Bobby (Hauck) and the team are only focused on playing our main rival here on Saturday night.” … Fresno State, Hawaii and San Diego State are in contention for the West Division. The Bulldogs have the simplest path to the title and berth in the Mountain West championship game. If they win, they’re in. … Colorado State’s Rashard Higgins is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s best receiver. He leads the nation with 1,447 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

POWER RANKINGS

1. No. 25 Boise State (9-2, 6-1 MW). Last game: Defeated Wyoming 63-14. Next game: vs. Utah State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 34-23 in 2013. Line: Boise State -10.

2. No. 21 Colorado State (10-1, 6-1). Last game: Defeated New Mexico 58-20. Next game: at Air Force, Friday. Last meeting: Won 58-13 in 2013. Line: Colorado State -6½.

3. Utah State (9-3, 6-1). Last game: Defeated San Jose State 41-7. Next game: at Boise State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 34-23 in 2013. Line: Boise State -10.

4. Air Force (8-3, 4-3). Last game: Lost to San Diego State 30-14. Next game: vs. Colorado State, Friday. Last meeting: Lost 58-13 in 2013. Line: Colorado State -6½.

5. Fresno State (5-6, 4-3). Last game: Defeated UNR 40-20. Next game: vs. Hawaii, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 42-37 in 2013. Line: Fresno State -11½.

6. UNR (6-5, 3-4). Last game: Lost to Fresno State 40-20. Next game: at UNLV, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 27-22 in 2013. Line: UNR -10.

7. San Diego State (6-5, 4-3). Last game: Defeated Air Force 30-14. Next game: vs. San Jose State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 34-30 in 2013. Line: San Diego State -11½.

8. Hawaii (4-8, 3-4). Last game: Defeated UNLV 37-35. Next game: at Fresno State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 42-37 in 2013. Line: Fresno State -11½.

9. San Jose State (3-8, 2-5). Last game: Lost to Utah State 41-7. Next game: at San Diego State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 34-30 in 2013. Line: San Diego State -11½.

10. Wyoming (4-7, 2-5). Last game: Lost to Boise State 63-14. Next game: at New Mexico, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 38-31 in 2013. Line: New Mexico -3½.

11. New Mexico (3-8, 1-6). Last game: Lost to Colorado State 58-20. Next game: vs. Wyoming, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 38-31 in 2013. Line: New Mexico -3½.

12. UNLV (2-10, 1-6). Last game: Lost to Hawaii 37-35. Next game: vs. UNR, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 27-22 in 2013. Line: UNR -10.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Utah State at Boise State. The Broncos win the Mountain Division if they beat Utah State. The Aggies will find out Friday if they have a shot at the division when Colorado State visits Air Force. If Colorado State wins, Utah State will be eliminated. And if the Rams win, they will need Utah State to pull off the upset to get into the championship game.

By Mark Anderson/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL