College Football's New World Order: Boise State vs. UNLV is a big one

On November 6, 2010, No. 3 TCU visited No. 5 Utah. That was back when both were members of the Mountain West Conference (now they're in the Big 12).

It was a rarity, a top 5 duel between teams outside the so-called power conferences. TCU, led by quarterback Andy Dalton, won 47-7 that day, but the Sports Illustrated headline the following week was a stark reminder of how college football ran its business.

“Is this important?”

Well, every game is important in some way, but at least in the pursuit of a national title, that wasn't the case. TCU remained undefeated but was denied a shot at the Bowl Championship Series title game (Auburn defeated Oregon, 22-19). As a consolation, TCU got to play (and win) the Rose Bowl.

Fourteen years later, a true playoff is here with 12 teams and a path to leagues like the Mountain West. It's just in time for perhaps the most consequential and anticipated non-power conference game of all time.

Boise State at UNLV on Friday night at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Boise is 6-1 and ranked 17th nationally. UNLV is 6-1 but not in the polls. This isn't anything close to a top-five matchup, but it offers something more meaningful – a step toward winning the Mountain West title and earning the automatic bid reserved for the best team from the so-called “Group of Five.” . Leagues.

Is it important? Oh, it's important. That's why it's being hyped in the media, UNLV is opening additional sections of Allegiant Stadium to accommodate ticket demand, and CBS Sports Network is expecting a bump in ratings.

“Obviously it’s a big moment,” UNLV coach Barry Odom said Monday of arguably the biggest game in school history. “We know how important this game is. … Great excitement, not only from our team or our athletic department, but from the city of Vegas.”

The 12-team playoffs feature automatic bids for the top five ranked conference champions. Since there are only four “power” leagues – ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC – that means the best of the others have a place, if you will.

This access to the playoffs is a welcome game changer away from traditional teams and leagues. It's not that anyone believes a Boise State or a UNLV will win the national title, but just the chance to make the playoffs gives their seasons and programs unpredictable excitement, purpose and credibility.

“This is what we work so hard for and why the guys will come to UNLV to play in games like this,” Odom said.

In the NCAA basketball tournament, different schools define a successful season differently – for example, only making March Madness, pulling off an upset or reaching the Sweet 16. Winning everything is not the be-all and end-all.

It will be the same in football. And that doesn't just apply to these two.

Both Army and Navy remain undefeated contenders in the American Athletic Conference. That's especially true if one or both can beat Notre Dame (Saturday's Midshipman's game against the Irish has playoff implications). both teams). That simply wouldn't have happened before. Washington State, Memphis and Liberty also have routes.

Too much college football runs on television executives' spreadsheets, but the sport is at its best when it's a truly national affair.

Critics of playoff expansion argued for years that it would make college football's regular season less important.

While it's true that a single loss won't end a team's season (and that's only been the case sometimes), there's no sign that games between top programs are being played with less intensity or fan interest have lost.

Last Saturday, ABC became the first network to broadcast two games (Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Texas) on the same day, drawing more than 10 million viewers. Ratings and viewership are up everywhere, and we haven't even reached the November free-for-all, let alone the actual playoffs.

The regular season is different, but in this case it's not that the game means less, but that more games are more important.

Even an October clash in the West that will feature not only Boise's Heisman candidate running back Ashton Jeanty, but also UNLV stars like wide receiver Ricky White and return man Jacob De Jesus.

“It’s going to be an absolute heavyweight fight…,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “We all know this is a big game. It's a big opponent. It’s a big arena.”

With real, big stakes. Nothing was taken away from the big schools; This is a complement to the entire sport.

“This is what you dream about as a player, as a competitor, as a coach, to be in this situation and have this opportunity,” Odom said.

Fourteen years after a top-five showdown that had everyone doubting its relevance, this Mountain West matchup is undoubtedly significant.