Nov. 10, 1999

The Las Vegas Bowl selection committee will meet tonight to try to sort out the mess that is the Mountain West Conference race.

Even after the meeting, no significant decisions will be made. Officials just want to discuss the bowl picture and what might be the likely teams to compete in the Dec. 18 game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Four teams are in the running -- Colorado State (6-3 overall, 3-2 in the MWC), Utah (6-3, 3-2), Wyoming (5-3, 2-2) and Air Force (5-3, 1-3). One of those would play the probable Western Athletic Conference champion.

"In a couple of weeks, we'll have the opportunity to possibly make a selection," said Tina Kunzer-Murphy, the Las Vegas Bowl's managing director and a selection committee member.

No. 15 Brigham Young (8-1, 5-0) is almost assured of getting a Liberty Bowl bid because the Cougars can clinch the conference championship Saturday at Wyoming and earn the trip to Memphis, Tenn.

The Las Vegas Bowl receives the second choice, and a number of factors go into deciding which team it takes, and a team putting together an 8-3 record would help. All four contenders have a chance to do just that.

"As we look at it, we want a team to finish on a high note and doing well," Kunzer-Murphy said. "That might not be possible. It's not like we have a number on it, but we'd like eight wins. I don't know if that's going to happen.

"We're looking for somebody excited about coming to Las Vegas and bringing an excellent football team here, but I can't put a finger on the number of wins we want to have."

Utah looked like the team that would make the Las Vegas Bowl, but the Utes have lost the past two games and are probably without starting quarterback Darnell Arceneaux the rest of the season. He suffered a major concussion Saturday against Wyoming.

As for Wyoming, the Cowboys have been inconsistent, and probably would not have much of a fan base to travel with.

That leaves Colorado State and Air Force.

The downside with Colorado State is the Rams probably would face Fresno State in the bowl, which would be a rematch from earlier this season. Colorado State was routed in that game, 44-13.

"I think we look at the teams separately," Kunzer-Murphy said. "Colorado State is riding high right now. They have an excellent program."

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said he didn't think a rematch would cost the Rams a shot at the bowl.

"I don't think that would be harmful at all," he said. "There would be a lot of incentive for the Rams if there is a rematch. Fresno State travels a lot (of fans). It could be a fun bowl."

To make sure it gets a fair chance of making the bowl, Colorado State has established a place on its web site to allow fans to pledge to buy tickets. The school's goal is 4,000 commitments.

Colorado State hasn't forgotten about last season when it didn't get a bowl invitation despite an 8-4 record.

"As a coach, I'd love it, but I've lost faith in (the system)," Rams coach Sonny Lubick said. "I'd love to go to a bowl game if we deserve it.

"I wish somebody from a real good conference would boycott a bowl game. It's not always the best team (that is selected). It's who sells the tickets. I can't worry about it, but it's got me steamed up."

The other school with a chance to come to Las Vegas is Air Force, which went to the Oahu Bowl last season and trounced Washington, 45-25.

"I think we're a good traveling team," Falcons coach Fisher DeBerry said. "We bring a lot to the table. We're a competitive football team. I hope we're fortunate to win the next three.

"We came to Las Vegas and played Oregon and drew a great crowd. We drew a great crowd for the WAC championship game. I think with Nellis Air Force Base there and the support here, we would travel extremely well, and the accessibility from Colorado Springs (Colo.) to Las Vegas is very appealing."

A crowd of 21,514 attended the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl between Air Force and Oregon, which the Ducks won 41-13. Last season, Air Force won the WAC title in Las Vegas by beating BYU 20-13 before a crowd of 32,745.

Meanwhile, the MWC doesn't appear it will receive more than the two bowl bids it is assured. The conference is trying to have a third bowl opportunity under contract starting next year.

"I'll probably know more in the next week or so," Thompson said.

"We want something for the short term for the next year or two. I don't think a five-year deal makes sense. Historically and geographically, we have an affinity for the West."

-- STANDINGS -- The MWC from top to bottom:

-- BYU, 8-1 overall, 5-0 in the conference. This week: at Wyoming. Comment: There is sentiment among some Cougars they would rather play in a Bowl Championship Series event than the Liberty Bowl. Won't happen. That's what they get for going to those awful uniforms.

-- Colorado State, 6-3, 3-2. This week: off. Comment: Rams making second-half run to get into bowl and embarrass first-year conference.

-- Utah, 6-3, 3-2. This week: vs. New Mexico. Comment: Utah is fading faster than the Reform Party's credibility.

-- Wyoming, 5-3, 2-2. This week: vs. BYU. Comment: Maybe Dana Dimel should've started coaching from the press box earlier this season.

-- New Mexico, 3-5, 2-2. This week: at Utah. Comment: Overachieving Lobos meet underachieving Utes and probably still will lose.

-- Air Force, 5-3, 1-3. This week: vs. UNLV. Comment: Falcons would like to pound UNLV and impress Las Vegas Bowl officials. Next step will be invading Nellis Air Force Base.

-- UNLV, 3-5, 1-3. This week: at Air Force. Comment: Five freshmen will start offensively. Pimple cream will be next to the water bottles on the sideline.

-- San Diego State, 3-6, 1-4. This week: off. Comment: Watching Aztecs considered good cure for insomnia.

-- ODDS AND ENDS -- Colorado State running back Kevin McDougal's uniform number changed from 36 to 34 to honor former Chicago Bears great Walter Payton, who died last week from cancer. ... The Rams have won three consecutive games despite being outscored in all three. the Rams went seven consecutive possessions without a first down against New Mexico, but somehow won, 36-22. ... BYU outside linebacker Jeff Holtry is out for the season with an ACL injury. ... San Diego State's Lon Sheriff filled in for Jack Hawley and completed seven of his first nine passes. The redshirt freshman went on to finish 9 of 16 for 94 yards and an interception, but Hawley will keep his starting job if he returns successfully from a shoulder injury. Sheriff probably will play the last two games even if he doesn't start.