This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
When Boise State played several midweek football games this season on national TV, the Utah Utes often would gather and watch the Broncos play.
Now all that informal scouting is going to be put to good use.
The No. 21 Utes (10-2) will be paired with the No. 9 Broncos in the Dec. 22 Las Vegas Bowl. The announcement won't be made official until the Broncos are released from BCS consideration sometime Sunday.
Boise State (11-1) wrapped up its season Saturday with a 50-14 win over Utah State.
Going to the Las Vegas Bowl isn't exactly the bowl destination the Broncos had in mind a couple of weeks ago when they were ranked as high as No. 3 in the BCS standings.
But hopes of landing in the national title game or the Rose Bowl were dashed when the Broncos lost to Nevada 34-31 in overtime last week, knocking them out of BCS contention.
The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl had first pick of the WAC teams, but WAC commissioner Karl Benson helped arrange a Utah-Boise State matchup in Las Vegas, which was the preferred destination of the Broncos.
Nevada, ranked No. 14, officially accepted an invitation to play in the Jan. 9 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Saturday after its 35-17 win over Louisiana Tech.
Pairing Utah and Boise State is a strong sell for the Las Vegas bowl game given the storylines the two teams bring. Utah is the departing MWC team that joins the Pac-10 next season, while the Broncos are the incoming MWC team.
The two have enjoyed success in the BCS too.
Boise State has two Fiesta Bowl wins, beating Oklahoma 43-42 in the 2007 game and TCU 17-10 in the 2010 game. The Utes beat Pittsburgh 35-7 to win the 2005 Fiesta Bowl and beat Alabama 31-17 in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.
The Utes are 2-4 all-time against Boise State, with the past three games being losses, including a 36-3 defeat in 2006.
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore has thrown for 3,269 yards and 30 touchdowns this year, helping the Broncos average 46.4 points a game.
Utah defensive back Lamar Chapman said earlier this week playing either Nevada or Boise State would make him happy because both had good offenses.
"We want to re-prove ourselves," he said of Utah's defense.
"I gave up two touchdowns against San Diego State and a lot of yards. Boise State has two good receivers, and it would give us a chance to prove how good we really are."
The Utes (10-2) haven't played in the Las Vegas Bowl since 2001, when they beat Southern Cal 10-6.
Boise State is making its first appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl.
lwodraska@sltrib.comTwitter: @lyawodraska, @sltributes —
History of Boise State vs. Utah
1980 • Boise 28, Utah 7
1985 • Utah 20, Boise 17
1987 • Utah 31, Boise 27
1998 • Boise 31, Utah 28
1999 • Boise 26, Utah 20
2006 • Boise 36, Utah 3 —
2010 statistical comparison
Boise Utah
Passing 325.6 248.0
Rushing 199.9 156.8
Pts for 46.4 35.6
Pts against 13.5 19.8 —
Las Vegas Bowl
P Boise State vs. Utah
Wednesday, Dec. 22, 6 p.m. TV • ESPN
Tickets • Call 801-581-UTIX (8849) or visitwww.utahtickets.com