The miracle season continues for the Broncos.
After Boise State beat Air Force 27-19, the possibilities for the Broncos were still alive. As the time ticked down on the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and San Jose State game, the odds quickly became slimmer.
San Jose Stateβs 37-31 win over UNLV created a three-way tie amongst UNLV, San Jose State and Boise State, as all three recorded a 6-2 record in Mountain West play. This led to the two spots in the title game had to be decided by computer rankings.
The Mountain West used the composite rankings of four computer rankings to break the tie. After the dreaded decision, it turned out that UNLV and Boise State finished in the No. 1 and No. 2 slots.
As interim head coach Spencer Danielson is still at the helm for Boise State, he will look to finish off this season in remarkable fashion.
Danielson becomes just the second interim coach in college football history to take over midseason and lead his team to a conference championship game. The last time it happened was in 2015 when Clay Helton led University of Southern California to the Pac-12 championship game.
The Broncos also find themselves in the Mountain West Championship game for the sixth time in the last seven years.
Though the Bronco program is no stranger to this spotlight, this season is unlike any other.
After the turmoil with the firing of head coach Andy Avalos, multiple injuries hindering key players and their lead receiver entering the transfer portal, this season is anything but normal.
Despite the hardships this Bronco team has faced, they have been nothing but relentless the last weeks of play.
With convincing wins over Utah State University and the must win over Air Force, the Broncos showed up, showed out and proved to everyone why they should be in contention for the Mountain West title.
With the Broncos facing the Rebels, this matchup will be no walk in the park for the Boise State team.
UNLV went 9-3 in the regular season, the only losses they suffered was a 35-7 loss at a powerful No. 2 Michigan team and a 31-24 loss at Fresno State prior to the Nov. 25 home loss to San Jose State.
The Rebels had the top offense in the conference at 35.58 points per game during the regular season and there are no signs of stopping this team.
Compared to the Broncos, UNLVβs team is built very similarly.
UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the Mountain West. The redshirt freshman is a dual threat quarterback who can not only run the ball, but can pick apart defenses with his throwing ability.
Maiava has had a breakout season. With little to show for in the beginning of the 2023 season, the budding star has proven himself game after game. He has thrown for over 2,600 yards and recorded 14 touchdowns this season.
He also garnered 244 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
He has proven himself as a key weapon for the team in a similar fashion as Broncos quarterback, Taylen Green.
Though Green has struggled with turnovers, there is no denying his rushing ability. Green takes the edge on rushing capabilities with 344 yards rushing and seven touchdowns of his own this season.
However, with Green’s 1,526 passing yards, nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions, the two quarterbacks will have an opportunity to showcase their talents on one of the biggest stages.
The quarterbacks aren’t just the only thing these two teams have in common, both teams have show stopping running backs.
While the Broncos have the dynamic duo of George Holani and Ashton Jeanty, with both of them healthy, the Broncos have had a powerful running force.
Despite his two and a half games away, Jeanty still leads the Broncos in rushing yards with 1,113 yards and was nominated to the Midseason All-American team as well as the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
Holani has also been a force. In just the six games in which Holani has been available to play, he has racked up 534 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
On the UNLV side, running back Vincent Davis has been making strides. As Davis was entering the Rebels program fresh from graduating from University of Pittsburgh, he made this season a premier breakout season.
Davis is UNLV’s leading rusher with 667 yards on the season. He is a physical runner who is good at breaking tackles, explosive and a dominant force that can break down most any defensive barrier.
This matchup between the two will be one of the best games the Mountain West will see all year, with two evenly matched teams, this Championship will be a must see.
The Mountain West Championship game will be hosted at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. MST.
