By virtue of their 23-17 double overtime loss to the New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque on Nov. 28, the San Diego State University football team ended regular season play in a four-way tie for first place in the Mountain West Conference standings. SDSU, Boise State, UNLV and New Mexico all finished with 6-2 conference records.
But, based on computer rankings, the Aztecs (9-3) and Lobos (9-3) did not advance to the conference championship game. That right was reserved for Boise State and UNLV.
Boise State defeated UNLV, 38-21, to sew up the MW championship on Friday, Dec. 5. It’s the third consecutive MW championship for the Broncos (9-4).
Ironically, SDSU defeated Boise State, 17-7, during regular season play on Nov. 15.
As a consolation, the Aztecs have accepted an invitation to play No. 23 North Texas (11-2) in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 27 (2:45 p.m. PT, ESPN).
This is the second trip for SDSU to the New Mexico Bowl and the first meeting against North Texas since 1975.
The Aztecs are making their first bowl game appearance since 2022 (21st overall, 17th in the Division I era, 13th in the last 16 seasons). SDSU defeated Central Michigan, 48-11, in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl.
