San Diego State’s slim path to the Mountain West Title hinges on a UNLV collapse originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
San Diego State entered Friday’s game against New Mexico knowing exactly what was on the line: they needed to win, and they needed help from the rest of the Mountain West. The Aztecs, playing their final season in the conference before moving to the Pac-12, are trying to reach the Mountain West Championship for the first time since 2021. Their last conference title came back in 2016. But their path this year is very thin, and it starts with something they can’t control.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor SDSU to stay alive in the title race, winning their own game isn’t enough. They also need UNLV to lose today to Nevada. That is the only path that keeps the Aztecs’ championship hopes breathing. If the Rebels win, they lock up their third straight trip to the Mountain West Championship and stay on track for their first-ever conference title. A UNLV victory ends SDSU’s chances right away, no matter what happens in any other game.
But if Nevada pulls off the upset, the Mountain West picture becomes a mess. The conference could end up with a big tie between SDSU, Boise State, New Mexico, and possibly UNLV. That would force the league to use computer rankings to decide who plays for the title. Since SDSU and UNLV did not face each other this season, head-to-head results would not matter. The computers would make the call, adding even more uncertainty.
On the field in Albuquerque, San Diego State has battled through a tight, back-and-forth game with New Mexico. Running back LaShawn Sutton has carried the load on the ground, and wide receiver DJ Brown helped spark the offense with a 46-yard touchdown earlier in the game. Quarterback Jalen Denegal has kept the offense moving with a mix of quick throws and deep shots.
Defensively, SDSU has leaned on its strongest unit. Pass rusher N. King set the tone early with several sacks. A. Comier and S. Benjamin have continued to bring pressure in the second half, stopping multiple New Mexico drives. The Lobos have answered with big plays of their own, including a 40-yard touchdown run by Jacory Laubstein and a 54-yard scoring burst from D. McKinney.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the game still in progress, SDSU is doing everything it can on the field. Their title hopes depend just as much on what is happening far away in Las Vegas.
If Nevada stuns UNLV, SDSU has a chance.If UNLV wins, the Aztecs’ final year in the Mountain West ends without another shot at the title.
All SDSU can do now is wait and hope for a miracle.
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