As the underdog dares to dream and the favorite begins to sweat, chaos looms on the college football horizon. The stakes are incredibly high as two powerful teams from the Mountain West gear up for a showdown that has the potential to rewrite playoff narratives. On one side stands Boise State, which exudes dominance, towering like a fortress. On the other side, UNLV thrives in the trenches, fearlessly defying the odds. What will happen when an unstoppable force collides with an immovable object? The answer may not only surprise you, but it could also send shockwaves throughout the entire football world.

Well, UNLV has an overall record of 10-2 entering the Mountain West conference play, and Boise State is at 11-1. The one who wins their Saturday’s game will go to the CFP. However, it’s not that straightforward; if by any chance Boise State loses against UNLV, it will create havoc in the CFB. Even ESPN analyst Booger McFarland reflects on the same notion, saying, “The real chaos comes with UNLV winning because if Boise wins, I think Boise gets a bye.” A loss against UNLV might change the whole picture of playoff rankings. Boise State has been dominant since the start of the season, and not entering the playoffs will surely disrupt the expected lineup of teams.

However, for UNLV, the win will open all the doors to success. The No. 20-ranked UNLV Rebels will not only win the Mountain West title but will also be the first time in program history to enter the playoffs. This might force the selection committee to make a definite decision to add UNLV to the rankings among other teams like Alabama, Penn State, and other CFB teams. Boise State’s not entering the playoffs will be a real deal breaker for them despite showcasing remarkable gameplay.

Moreover, it will also be a great disadvantage for their running Ashton Jeanty, as he is already trailing behind Buffs two-way star player Travis Hunter in the Heisman odds, and if they lose against UNLV, it will only push down his chances to win against Travis. Plus, Boise State has been showcasing a consistent game since the start of the season, and coming this close to their final goal and not winning will be nothing less than a mishap.

Boise State or UNLV, which team has a strong standing?

It feels like the season just began, and now we’re down to the final stretch. But we still have some really intense faceoffs left to witness, and one among them is UNLV’s game against Boise State. Now that we know how UNLV’s win can shift the whole narrative of the CFB rankings in the playoffs, let’s talk about the factors that might lead to it.

Boise State might be aware of UNLV’s star quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, who finished his season with 26 touchdowns, 900 rushing yards, and 1735 passing yards. However, the impressive factor about him is Williams’ lack of mistakes; in 80 pressure situations, Williams made one turnover-worthy play. Now you can understand the kind of precision he holds.

But even Boise State is no less in holding strong players, and one of them is Heisman contender Ashton Jeanty, who has completed his regular season with 2287 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. And because of his remarkable gameplay, Boise State’s offense has remained tough throughout the season.

Furthermore, their star quarterback, Maddux Madsen, excels at avoiding interceptions and boasts a strong touchdown-to-interception ratio. While both teams boast strong rosters and impressive gameplay, the key question is which team can effectively leverage their strengths to secure a playoff spot.