LARAMIE, Wyoming (CBS2) — Boise State is 60 minutes away from a berth in the Mountain West Championship game and homefield advantage, but the Broncos will have to brave the elements to clinch a spot in the championship.
With two games to go in the regular season, Boise State travels to Laramie, Wyoming to take on the University of Wyoming, Saturday at 5 p.m.
Boise State has won five out of its last six, largely thanks to George Holani's bullish running, paired with an emerging Taylen Green at quarterback.
The Broncos defense has been just as impressive. Boise State ranks 4th in the country in total defense.
D.J. Schramm leads the team in tackles by more than 20, his total sitting at 74. Second in tackles, J.L. Skinner has 53 and two picks to boot. As a whole, the defense has kept scoring down; the team ranks 11th in FBS.
Wyoming will present challenges however, with a strong rushing attack and a team that plays with intensity. Perhaps a larger challenge though, is the elements.
It's expected to be well below freezing during the contest, but Wyoming's stadium also boasts the highest elevation in the country. At 7220 feet, War Memorial Stadium in Laramie is nearly 2,000 feet higher than Denver. Still, wide receiver Stefan Cobbs says the elements aren't too concerning.
"I mean, it's just football at the end of the day," Cobbs said. "We just go and play the game. I mean, it was cold today, we practiced outside... you don't really prep for it. We just play and make sure that we have everything in order game plan wise to do what we need to do, and just making sure our techniques and fundamentals are all doing good."
A win this weekend would put Boise State at 7-0 in conference play and guarantee them a spot in the Mountain West Championship, but also homefield advantage. A loss however, would complicate things.
Wyoming would move to 6-1 in conference play with a win over Boise State, and the Cowboys would control their own destiny. If BSU loses and Wyoming wins out, the Broncos would be watching the Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game on the couch.
That two game stretch to close the season is difficult for Wyoming however. Wyoming faces both division leaders, Boise State and then Fresno State, who is fighting to represent the West.
It's confusing but here's the path for each remaining team to reach the big game:
MW Mountain
Boise State: Win over Wyoming -- OR -- Loss to Wyoming PLUS win over Utah State PLUS Wyoming loss to Fresno St.
Wyoming: Win over Boise St. PLUS Win over Fresno St. -- OR -- Win against Boise St. PLUS Boise State loss to Utah St.
MW West
Fresno State: Win over Nevada -- OR -- Win over Wyoming -- OR -- SJSU loss to Utah St. or Hawaii & SDSU loss to New Mexico or Air Force
San Diego State* : Win over New Mexico and Air Force PLUS Fresno State loss to Nevada & Wyoming
San Jose State: Win over Utah St. and Hawaii PLUS Fresno State loss to Nevada & Wyoming PLUS San Diego State loss to New Mexico or Air Force
The path will likely become much clearer after this weekend's games.
Boise State takes on Wyoming in Laramie, Saturday Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network.
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*The Mountain West website has San Jose State ranked ahead of San Diego State. This is believed to be an error as San Diego State has the head-to-head victory.
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