The 2024 Mountain West Championship Game: Boise State vs. UNLV, a game with a likely CFP berth on the line
No. 11 Boise State Hosts No. 22 UNLV in Mountain West Championship
Date: Friday, December 6
Game Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Albertsons Stadium
How to Watch (TV): FOX
UNLV Record: 10-2
Boise State Record: 11-1
Eleventh-ranked Boise State will face No. 22 UNLV in the 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship on Friday, Dec. 6, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
The game is a rematch of the 2023 title from last year where Boise State defeated UNLV 44-20 to capture their fifth Mountain West championship.
Boise State, boasting an 11-1 overall record and a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play, earned the right to host by clinching the top seed at home on the blue turf.
The Broncos enter the championship on a 10-game winning streak and have won 11 consecutive home games.
Led by Heisman frontrunner Ashton Jeanty, Boise State will appear in its third straight MW title game and eighth overall.
(AP Photo/Steve Conner)
This marks the sixth time the Broncos have hosted the game and the first since 2022, as they seek their fifth conference title.
Here’s the situation: Boise State will only miss the college playoffs if it loses to UNLV in the Mountain West title game.
Simply put, a win over UNLV secures them the conference championship and the Group of Five’s playoff spot.
By defeating UNLV, Boise State would maintain its position as the highest-ranked Group of Five teams and lock in its playoff berth. No other G5 program is close enough in the rankings to overtake it.
Photo Courtesy of College Football Network
UNLV secured its spot with a decisive 38-14 victory over rival Nevada, finishing the regular season 10-2 overall and 6-1 in conference.
The Rebels edged Colorado State (8-4, 6-1 MW) for the second title-game berth via their higher College Football Playoff ranking.
Photo Courtesy Daniel Jacobi II Las Vegas Review-Journal
Boise State is the defending champion, defeating UNLV 44-20 in last year’s title game in Las Vegas. T
This season’s matchup is only the second rematch in MW Championship history, with the first being Boise State vs. Fresno State in 2017 and 2018.
The Broncos and Rebels met earlier this season on Oct. 25, with Boise State securing a narrow 29-24 win in Las Vegas.
The 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship will be broadcast live on FOX, with kickoff at 6 p.m. MT. The BIG NOON KICKOFF crew will host a pregame show starting at 5 p.m. M
It won’t just be for conference glory—it’s likely a golden ticket to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Photo Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
This new format will feature the top 12 teams in the country competing for the national championship.
The stage is set for a thrilling rematch as UNLV travels to Boise’s iconic ‘Smurf Turf,’ a nickname given to the blue-colored artificial turf at Albertsons Stadium, to face the high-flying Broncos in the Mountain West Championship.
This marks Boise State’s third consecutive appearance in the Mountain West title game and sixth time hosting it, though it’s their first on the blue turf since 2022.
Photo Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
The Broncos, aiming for their fifth championship, enter as the top seed after an undefeated conference season.
UNLV earned its spot with a decisive 38-14 rivalry win over Nevada. The Rams finished the regular season at 10-2 overall and 6-1 in Mountain West play.
Thanks to their higher CFP ranking, the Rebels secured the tiebreaker over Colorado State for the championship berth.
This is UNLV’s second straight appearance in the title game. The tiebreaker was determined by the CFP ranking, which considers various factors, including strength of schedule and head-to-head results.
These two teams are no strangers to each other. Boise State handed UNLV a 44-20 loss in last year’s championship game and defeated the Rebels 29-24 in Las Vegas earlier this season on October 25.
Boise State, led by Heisman Trophy contender Ashton Jeanty, has dominated all season against the best opposing teams’ defenses.
Meanwhile, the Rebels have showcased resilience and firepower despite early-season quarterback changes and haven’t missed a beat.
Can UNLV, fueled by the desire to avenge their Week 9 loss, make a stunning push for a spot in the College Football Playoff, potentially turning the tables in this high-stakes game?
Photo Courtesy Las Vegas Review-Journal
With Tulane falling to Memphis and Army slipping out of the latest CFP rankings, the winner is almost certain to claim one of five automatic bids to the postseason’s grand stage.
This showdown is a rematch of Boise State’s thrilling 29-24 victory over UNLV earlier this season, and both programs will have a chance to etch their names in history.
Here’s what to watch as the Broncos (11-1, 7-0) and Rebels (10-2, 6-1) prepare to collide.
Boise State: A Juggernaut on the Brink
Few teams have been as dominant as the Broncos since their Week 2 heartbreak—a 37-34 road loss to No. 1 Oregon.
That defeat galvanized Boise State, who rolled to 10 straight wins, including a perfect record in Mountain West play, to position themselves for a CFP berth.
The Broncos’ meteoric rise is powered by running back Ashton Jeanty, a Heisman Trophy hopeful.
Jeanty has torched defenses with 2,288 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, becoming a human highlight reel. His ability to dictate the game will be crucial on Friday night.
But Boise State’s offense isn’t a one-man show. Quarterback Maddux Madsen has thrived since winning the starting job in fall camp, tossing 21 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
Complementing the offensive firepower is a defense capable of timely stops, led by linebacker DJ Schramm and safety Rodney Robinson.
Boise State enters the championship as the reigning Mountain West champion, looking to claim back-to-back titles for the first time in program history.
UNLV: From Underdog to Contender
Courtesy of Las Vegas Sun
UNLV has emerged as one of the season’s feel-good stories, transforming from a mid-tier program into a bona fide CFP contender under second-year head coach Barry Odom.
The Rebels earned their place in the title game with a decisive 38-14 win over rival Nevada in Week 14, securing the Mountain West’s second-highest CFP ranking.
Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, who took over midseason after Matthew Sluka’s controversial departure, has been a revelation.
Williams’ dual-threat capabilities have reenergized the Rebels, accounting for 23 total touchdowns.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Ricky White III and running back Jai’Den Thomas have delivered game-breaking plays in critical moments.
Defensively, UNLV brings a ferocious unit anchored by linebacker Jackson Turner and cornerback Cameron Oliver. In their October meeting, this group limited Boise State’s explosive rushing attack to one of its lowest outputs of the season.
(Kalin Sipes/ Scarlet & Gray Free Press)
Their ability to replicate that success will be key to pulling off the upset.
What’s at Stake
This game isn’t just about a conference title—it’s about a ticket to the national spotlight.
Boise State’s near-flawless season has them eyeing a potential first-round bye in the CFP, while UNLV could slide in as the No. 12 seed with a victory.
For both programs, a loss would mean falling painfully short of the ultimate dream.
Key Matchups
- Jeanty vs. UNLV’s Front Seven: Can UNLV’s 18th-ranked rush defense bottle up one of college football’s most dangerous weapons?
- Williams vs. Boise’s Secondary: With the Broncos allowing big plays through the air this season, Williams could find opportunities to exploit mismatches.
- Coaching Chess Match: Odom’s defensive scheming has brought UNLV to the brink of glory, but can he outmaneuver Spencer Danielson and the Broncos’ staff?
Prediction: Expect a Nail-Biter
The 2024 Mountain West Championship promises to be a thriller. Boise State’s championship pedigree and home-field advantage make them favorites, but UNLV’s grit and defensive prowess ensure this won’t be a walkover.
The Broncos edged the Rebels by five points in their regular-season matchup, but the stakes—and the pressure—are far higher this time.
Final Prediction:
Boise State 31, UNLV 27. Expect fireworks on the blue turf, but Jeanty and the Broncos’ experience will likely prove the difference.