Group of 7: Mountain West Title Game, UNLV Rebels vs. Boise State Broncos

A spot in the College Football Playoff is on the line when No. 20 UNLV takes on No. 10 Boise State in the Mountain West Championship.

This matchup has already happened one time this season with the Broncos making the trip to Las Vegas and defeating the Rebels.

Despite Boise State being a top-10 team in the country, it was a close 29-24 victory over a then-unknown UNLV squad.

However, UNLV has continued to win throughout the rest of the season and is red-hot entering the rematch.

The main focus for UNLV is going to be Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty ran 33 times for 128 yards and a touchdown in the first matchup as the Rebels kept him pretty much in check for the entirety of the game.

However, this matchup will be on the famous blue field in Boise, Idaho. The team that finishes in first place in the Mountain West gets the advantage of hosting the championship game.

Jeanty is a threat to score anywhere on the field and is just under 400 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ record for most rushing yards in a single season.

UNLV will have its hands full trying to keep him in check for a second time.

If they do manage to keep him in check, Maddux Madsen will have to make the throws to propel his team to victory.

Madsen hasn’t had to make too many big throws with the best running back in the country behind him and to rely on, but they can not be one-dimensional.

Madsen has 2,556 yards on the season with only 21 touchdowns. He has been safe with the ball the whole season with only three interceptions during the regular season.

If he makes the throws he needs to while also not turning it over, the Broncos' chances will be really good to make the playoffs.

The Rebels have an offense of their own that is not something that should be taken for granted.

Every since Hajj-Malik Williams became the starter, the offense has flowed really well through him.

The dual-threat quarterback is nearing 2,000 yards through the air while also rushing for 768 yards. His ability to run poses a massive threat to the Broncos’ defense.

Jai’Den Thomas leads the way on the ground for the Rebels. He has 833 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns.

The rushing game will be huge for both teams with UNLV totaling 27 rushing touchdowns on the season and Boise State with an impressive 40. Jeanty accounts for 28 of those touchdowns in his record-setting season, but the other weapons have still held their own when Jeanty isn’t rushing.

If Boise State defeats UNLV in the Mountain West Championship, the Broncos will likely be ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff bracket.

However, if UNLV defeats Boise State then the Rebels will likely slot in at No. 12 in the College Football Playoff bracket.

No matter the outcome, it’s going to be a strong game of running between high-level running backs.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email asd5765@psu.edu