If Friday night’s game between No. 17 Boise State and UNLV had taken place a year ago, it would have been an interesting regional matchup.
Now, due to the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, the game has national importance.
The winner will take a big step toward securing a playoff spot, which includes the five highest-ranked conference champions, ensuring a place for a Group of Five program.
“We know it’s a big game,” Rebels coach Barry Odom said. “Don’t run from it. Don’t make it bigger than it needs to be, but understand the moment that they’ve earned, they’ve created for not only our program but our conference. You look around college football this week and in the top five games it’s UNLV and Boise.”
The Broncos (5-1, 2-0 Mountain West) have a bit more room for error in their playoff chances. Their only loss was 37-34 to top-ranked Oregon on a last-second field goal, and they could still recover by winning the conference championship.
UNLV (6-1, 2-0) would find it very difficult to make the playoffs if they lose. Their only loss was 44-41 in overtime to Syracuse on October 4, which dropped them from their first ranking in team history.
“I’m shocked they’re not ranked in the Top 25,” said Boise State coach Spencer Danielson, noting that UNLV has wins against Houston, Kansas, and Oregon State. “They deserve that for sure.”
This game gives the Broncos a chance to make a mark nationally and also helps support Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman Trophy campaign. He leads the nation with 1,248 rushing yards and averages 9.9 yards per carry.
BetMGM has Jeanty as the 2-1 favorite to be the first player from outside a power conference since BYU quarterback Ty Detmer in 1990 to win college football’s top individual award.
Odom used many words to describe Jeanty, who averages 208 rushing yards per game, but struggled to find words that do justice to how great he is. “I don’t know if there are any comparisons. People have asked me to compare him to someone. I can’t. He’s unique.”
