Fort Collins – Larry Baber, a member of the Poinsettia Bowl’s board of directors, was in the Hughes Stadium press box Saturday visiting with old friends from Colorado State and Wyoming.
The Holiday Bowl committee veteran recalled how well Wyoming (1987, 1988) and Colorado State (1994, 1995, 1997) traveled to San Diego as Western Athletic Conference champions. The inaugural Dec. 22 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego was created this year as a Holiday Bowl offshoot.
“These are two teams with a chance to be bowl-eligible,” Baber said at halftime of the latest Border War game.
After the Rams beat Wyoming 39-31, the road to San Diego for the Mountain West Conference’s third bowl selection became a little easier.
The Rams (4-3, 3-1 MWC) play three of their last four games on the road, with the toughest two-week stretch up next. CSU plays Friday night at third-place New Mexico (5-3, 3-2).
The suddenly hot Lobos are coming off a 47-24 victory at San Diego State and need one more win for bowl eligibility. CSU goes to Fort Worth, Texas, the following week to play league- leading TCU (7-1, 5-0). If the Rams can’t end their two-year losing streak against New Mexico, the trip to TCU loses MWC championship connotations.
For extra incentive, CSU coach Sonny Lubick is going for his 100th victory with the Rams in 13 seasons. CSU hasn’t won on the road this season. The home finale is against San Diego State on Nov. 12, and CSU closes out at last-place UNLV on Nov. 19.
Baber said the Poinsettia Bowl would like to name its MWC representative on the final weekend. There is no contract for an opponent, though Baber said he has been contacted by the ACC. The Pacific 10 or WAC also could provide the opposition.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
