Where could UNLV football go bowling this season?
What we know: UNLV’s football team will play in a bowl game.
What we don’t know: When and where it will be and against what opponent.
And where things stand with the conference championship game.
There are two weeks remaining in the regular season, and the Mountain West isn’t close to finalizing what teams will play in the title game.
San Diego State leads the league with a 5-1 record, but five teams — UNLV, Boise State, Fresno State, Hawaii and New Mexico — sit behind the Aztecs at 4-2.
How close is the race? While unlikely, there could be a seven-way tie at 5-3 in the final Mountain West standings. Chaos, for sure.
Tiebreakers will likely become involved no matter what happens. The first one is head-to-head results, while the second is the highest College Football Playoff ranking or ranking based on a composite of computer metrics.
UNLV made the championship game last season because of its CFP ranking.
The Rebels host Hawaii at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Allegiant Stadium. The winner will keep its hopes alive for a spot in the conference championship game. It’s a critical matchup for UNLV, which closes the regular season by playing at UNR (1-5) on Nov. 29.
The Rebels will host the title game if they win out, San Diego State loses both of its remaining games, and Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico all lose at least one more game.
UNLV would make the championship game if it wins its final two games and Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico all lose once, or if it beats Hawaii, and Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico all lose their final two games.
The Rebels beat Utah State last week, but lost to Boise State and New Mexico.
Bowl predictions
UNLV’s finish to the season will determine where its bowl game is, but the team isn’t thinking about that yet.
“I really don’t (pay attention),” junior quarterback Anthony Colandrea said. “Just focus on winning the next game. During the week, you can’t really look at the outside noise. That’s what really gets you messed up. I’m just worried about this week.”
Added junior safety Jake Pope: “I think what we can do is really focus on putting ourselves in the best position we can be in. That’s winning out and taking it game by game. I’m not too worried about anyone else. Obviously, things have to fall for us. We’re just trying to focus on Hawaii right now.”
Bowl predictions need to be taken with a grain of salt. Some make sense, and others don’t.
That said, here are some of the leading projections. None has UNLV winning the Mountain West title.
College Football News
Prediction: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
When: Dec. 22
Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho
Matchup: UNLV vs. Toledo
The Rockets (6-4, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) are 1½ games out of first place in their conference. The Rebels played at Boise State on Oct. 18 and lost 56-31. It would be a lot colder the second time around.
ESPN
Prediction: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Matchup: UNLV vs. Toledo or UNLV vs. Ohio
The Bobcats (7-4, 5-2 MAC) are in second place in their league.
Sports Illustrated
Prediction: 68 Ventures Bowl
When: Dec. 17
Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama
Matchup: UNLV vs. Old Dominion
This bowl is supposed to match teams among the MAC, Sun Belt and Conference USA.
The Monarchs (7-3, 4-2 Sun Belt) are in a league that has been dominated by James Madison (9-1, 7-0) this season.
Athlon Sports
Prediction: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Matchup: UNLV vs. Buffalo
Another vote for Boise. The Bulls (5-5, 4-2 MAC) faced Miami (Ohio) with the chance to become bowl eligible Wednesday night.
CBS Sports
Prediction: Isleta New Mexico Bowl
When: Dec. 27
Where: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Matchup: UNLV vs. Washington State
Wonder if the referee also would be a federal judge. No talk of poaching fees allowed here, as good friends (LOL) from the Mountain West and Pac-12 square off.
USA Today
Prediction: Isleta New Mexico Bowl
Matchup: UNLV vs. Washington State
A second publication that likes the Rebels and Cougars. Washington State (5-5) is not bowl eligible and ends its season against James Madison and Oregon State. The Cougars lost to the Beavers 10-7 on Nov. 1.
Pro Football Network
Prediction: Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
When: Dec. 27
Where: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
Matchup: UNLV vs. Western Michigan
The pregame news conference with Snoop Dogg would make this worth the price of admission. Western Michigan (7-4, 6-1 MAC) is in first place in its conference.
The champion of the Mountain West is typically slated for the LA Bowl hosted by Rob Gronkowski. The Rebels played in the game last season and beat Cal 24-13 because Boise State, which beat UNLV for the league title, qualified for the CFP.
The LA Bowl has the first choice of a Mountain West team, but is expected to take the champion.
Most bowl predictions at this point are assuming San Diego State wins the conference and heads to Los Angeles.
Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
