The WAC has never had more than three teams tie for the league football title, but entering Saturday's games there are still five schools atop the standings with two losses each.
Utah is finished with a 6-2 league mark and is assured of at least a piece of the championship. The four other teams will complete the regular season with a trio of big games Saturday. There is a strong possibility of four teams tying for the league crown.The crowded house at the top of the standings has given headaches to bowl selection committees interested in WAC teams. Four of the five teams with two losses still have a possibility of going to the Holiday Bowl as the league champion (see chart). Air Force can ensure itself a slice of the WAC title with a win over Hawaii Saturday, but none of the tie-breaking scenarios favor the Falcons, so the Holiday Bowl is out of the picture for them.
Colorado State is the only team that controls its own destiny. If the 5-2 Rams beat the 5-2 Aztecs in San Diego, CSU will be headed to the Holiday Bowl for the second year in a row. It's as simple as that.
The other three teams with a shot at the Holiday Bowl - Utah, BYU and San Diego State - need help from other teams.
So which team goes to the Holiday Bowl if the favored teams win all three key games this weekend?
In such a case, San Diego State would be staying home and going to the Holiday Bowl for the first time since 1986.
The Aztecs are three-point favorites against Colorado State, BYU is four-point favorite to beat Fresno State and Air Force is favored by 11 to down Hawaii.
RELENTLESS COMMISH: The Copper Bowl gets its choice of any WAC team except the one that goes to the Holiday Bowl. Right now it looks like Air Force or Utah will be selected to go to the game in Tucson.
The third choice of WAC teams was supposed to go to the Freedom Bowl, but that game went out of business due to financial problems before the season began.
Since the death of the Freedom Bowl, commissioner Karl Benson has been lobbying the Liberty and Independence bowls to take a third team from the WAC. It may or may not happen, what with quality non-WAC teams like Stanford, Arizona State and Iowa vying for same spots. But if a third WAC team doesn't go bowling, it won't be due to a lack of effort by Benson and other WAC officials.
"I've been in touch with Karl (Benson) many times over a period of many months," said Independence Bowl executive director Glen Krupica. "He does a great job of promoting his schools and his league. We've been able to create a good relationship with him and, in turn, the WAC schools."
Added Liberty Bowl spokesman Travis Lawrence, "The WAC office has done a good job in keeping us updated on their teams this year."
PREDICTIONS: There are three WAC games that mean something Saturday and one that one that pits teams just longing for the end of the season. So guess which one is on national cable television (if you can call ESPN2 national)? That's right, the meaningless Wyoming at UTEP battle. Go figure.
Fresno State appears loaded with talent. But the Bulldogs are reeling after losing six of their last eight. BYU, meanwhile, may still be reeling after a lopsided loss to Utah. With a piece of the WAC title on the line the Cougs will pull one out . . . BYU 27, Fresno State 24.
Colorado State has WAC's best defense, while SDSU has the best offense in the league. The Rams have the WAC's second worst offense, while the Aztecs have the second worst defense. It'll be close . . . SDSU 31, CSU 30.
Air Force was blown away by Notre Dame last week, but with a slice of the WAC title on the line they'll respond by beating a Hawaii team that has given up this season . . . Air Force 35, Hawaii 13.
Wyoming has a chance to finish with a 4-4 league mark with a victory, while UTEP is, well, UTEP . . . Wyoming 38, UTEP 22.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Holiday scenarios
COLORADO STATE: Will represent the WAC in Holiday Bowl if it wins at San Diego State.
SAN DIEGO STATE: Will represent the WAC if it wins at home against CSU and if one of two things then happen: Air Force and BYU both win or both Air Force and BYU lose.
BYU: Will represent the WAC if it wins at Fresno State and SDSU and Hawaii both win as well.
UTAH: Will represent the WAC if SDSU, Air Force and Fresno State win Saturday. The Utes would also go to the Holiday Bowl if CSU and SDSU tie.