Vegas Says Thanks
Fresno's win over Colorado State is good news for UNLV
Last week’s concerns about Colorado State keeping UNLV out of the Mountain West championship game are on hold for the moment.
The Rams, who don’t play UNLV or Boise State this season, were handed their first conference loss, 28-22 by Fresno State, so coupled with UNLV’s win over San Jose State, we are closer to a rematch of last year’s decider.
Boise State has finished conference play unbeaten at 7-0 and has already clinched a spot in the title game.
UNLV (at Nevada) and Colorado State (home to Utah State) are one game back at 5-1 and if the both win, the tiebreaker is the College Football Playoff rankings, which has UNLV at #24 and Colorado State unranked.
Boise State beat UNLV in last year’s title game 44-20 and beat the Rebels on October 25 at Allegiant 29-24.
Week 14 Preview
Oregon State (5-6) at Boise State (10-1, 7-0)
Last week: Boise State sneaked past Wyoming, OSU upset Washington State.
State of play: Boise on track for the national playoff, Beavers need the upset win to become bowl eligible.
Fun Fact: Beavers have won six of the 10 meetings, including the last one in 2022.
Utah State (4-7, 3-3) at Colorado State (7-4, 5-1)
Last week: Utah State crushed San Diego State, Colorado State lost to Fresno State.
State of play: Aggies have caught fire, winning two in a row and three of their last four, while the Rams saw their five-game winning streak stopped.
Fun Fact: Utah State has won five straight in the series.
Stanford (3-8, 2-6) at San Jose State (6-5, 4-4)
Last week: Spartans dropped a tough one to UNLV, while the Cardinal collapsed and lost to archrivals Cal in the Big Game.
State of play: SJSU waiting for a bowl bid, Cardinal waiting for the season to end.
Fun Fact: Spartans are 14-52-1 all time against Stanford and have dropped the last six in the series.
Fresno State (6-5, 4-3) at UCLA (4-7, 3-6)
Last week: Bulldogs handed Colorado State its first conference loss, while UCLA was beaten by crosstown rival USC.
State of play: Fresno will go bowling, while the Bruins will have the holidays off.
Fun Fact: Fresno State has won the last four against UCLA, dating back to 2003.
Wyoming (2-9, 2-5) at Washington State (8-3)
Last week: Wyoming lost a heartbreaker to Boise while the Cougars were stunned by Oregon State.
State of play: Cowboys finish off a rough season while the Cougs look to regain some momentum heading into bowl season.
Fun Fact: Cowboys are 2-5 all time vs Wazzu.
Nevada (3-9, 0-6) at UNLV (9-2, 5-1)
Last week: UNLV got past San Jose in the rain, Nevada lost a close one to Air Force.
State of play: Nevada has lost five in a row, while a win would put UNLV into the Mountain West title game.
Fun Fact: This is the 50th meeting between the schools, with Nevada leading the series 28-21.
Air Force (4-7, 2-4) at San Diego State (3-8, 2-4)
Last week: Air Force won at Nevada, SDSU was pummelled by Utah State.
State of play: Air Force has won three in a row, San Diego State has lost five in a row.
Fun Fact: After a nine-game losing streak to the Aztecs, the Falcons have won the last two meetings.
New Mexico (5-6, 3-3) at Hawaii (4-7, 2-4)
Last week: Both teams had byes.
State of play: Warriors aren’t bowl eligible, but the Lobos can make the post-season with a win.
Fun fact: Last year Hawaii kept Colorado State out of a bowl game with a win in Honolulu in the season finale.
Bowl Eligibility Update
Eligible: Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Jose State, UNLV
1 win away: New Mexico (at Hawaii)
Ineligible: Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, San Diego State, Utah State, Wyoming