BYU’s quest is MWC’s business

A convincing victory over UCLA would bolster the Las Vegas Bowl’s argument for a better deal when its contract with the Pacific-10 Conference expires in two years.

BYU made a loud statement in last year’s game with a 38-8 blowout of Oregon. The 19th-ranked Cougars (10-2) will try again at 5 p.m. against the Bruins (6-6) at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“It’s one more chance to demonstrate your credibility and the rest of it, I think, will take care of itself,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “But our ultimate goal, like anyone, is to play for the national championship, and right now those options are fairly limited for us. We’ll just take whatever opportunities we have and make the best of them.”

Mendenhall’s team will try to atone for a 27-17 early-season loss at UCLA. The Cougars are greatly improved, and their nine-game winning streak is the nation’s second longest.

BYU quarterback Max Hall averages 301.4 yards passing per game, and tailback Harvey Unga was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year after gaining 1,211 yards rushing and 629 receiving.

UCLA’s quarterback situation is a mess. Ben Olson (left knee) is a game-day decision, and Patrick Cowan (left knee) is out. The Bruins probably will turn to Osaar Rasshan, who in his last start went 0-for-7 against Oregon.

It appears to be a prime opportunity for the Cougars against a banged-up opponent, and the Mountain West needs them to come through.

The Las Vegas and Emerald bowls alternate Pac-10 slots each year. This year, Las Vegas got the No. 5 qualifier. The Emerald, which got No. 4, took an 8-4 Oregon State team.

“As I said last year, when the Insight dropped out of (No.) 4, that’s where we wanted to be,” Las Vegas Bowl executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said. “That was the place where we thought we’d move up, from five to four, and that was their decision for us not to have that spot (every year).”

BYU could help the MWC’s case, but it’s uncertain whether another big victory would do much more than seal the fourth slot. Las Vegas would have a hard time moving ahead of the tradition-rich Sun Bowl at No. 3.

Dave Hirsch, Pac-10 assistant commissioner for communications, said the situation is reviewed ever year.

“It’s up to discussion for our (athletic directors) and what our bowls are prepared to provide our teams,” Hirsch said.

Of course, BYU could lose to UCLA or just sneak by, which would damage any MWC case for changing the status quo.

So there is pressure on the Cougars. And then the Mountain West representative probably would need to deliver another strong victory next year.

“We’ve kind of gotten in that cycle of UCLA, Cal, Oregon State and last year it was Oregon,” MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said. “Is that going to be the two or three or four teams we’re going to select from every year? There’s no question we would like to play the highest-caliber and quality opponent that we can. … Part of it, it’s out of our control with the Pac-10.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.

Key Matchups

• UCLA RB CHRIS MARKEY vs. BYU SLB BRYAN KEHL: BYU’s defense is ranked 10th nationally, and Kehl is its top player. He has 84 tackles, including 11 for losses and four sacks to go with three interceptions. If Kehl can help shut down Markey, that would force the Bruins to go to their shaky passing game.

• BYU TE DENNIS PITTA vs. UCLA SS CHRIS HORTON: Horton is the game’s All-American after making 83 tackles, including seven for losses and three sacks. Pitta was named first-team All-Mountain West Conference at tight end.