By Garin Turner
Boise State (8-4, 6-2 conference) will look to three-peat as the Mountain West Champions when they face the UNLV Rebels (10-2, 6-2 conference) on December 5, at 8 PM EST on FOX.
What’s at stake (Besides the Mountain West Championship)
For Boise State, along with winning three years in a row, it would be the sixth time the Broncos have won the Mountain West Championship. This is Boise State’s ninth appearance in the game. A loss would end the streak and prevent Boise State from potentially winning 10 games.
For UNLV, it would put a stop to the recent dominance of Boise State. It would mark the Rebels first Mountain West Championship. They’re currently 0-2. The last two championship games have been these two teams. Boise State won 44-20 in 2023 and 21-7 last year.
Last Matchup
Boise State has had UNLV’s number. The two teams played Oct. 18th with Boise State winning 56-31. The Broncos held a 28-24 lead at the half before scoring 21 points in the third to pull away.
Maddux Madsen threw for four touchdowns and 253 yards for Boise State to lead them to a win. Dylan Riley carried the ball 15 times for 201 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos scored three times on the ground. Boise State also scored on a 60-yard pick-six from A’Marion McCoy.
Keys to the game
Can UNLV get the “monkey off their back?” Boise State is 12-3 all-time against UNLV, including a four-game winning streak.
Who can convert on third down?
UNLV ranks 8th in the FBS on third downs allowed at 29.4% of the time. Boise State ranks 19th, allowing 33.1%.
Which team will be more disciplined?
Boise State has 65.2 penalty yards a game, while UNLV is at 68.1.
UNLV Team Leaders
Passing: Anthony Colandrea, 3,050 yards with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Rushing: Jai’Den Thomas, 127 carries for 944 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Receiving: Jaden Bradley, 51 catches for 834 yards and four touchdowns.
Boise State Team Leaders
Passing: Maddux Madsen, 1,994 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Rushing: Dylan Riley, 164 carries for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Receiving: LaTrell Caples, 43 catches for 515 yards and three touchdowns.
Prediction
UNLV breaks through and breaks the four-game losing streak, and ends Boise State’s bid for a three-peat. The Rebels win on a last-second field goal, 34- 31.
