Air Force Academy – Word out of Albuquerque on Monday did nothing to strengthen flickering possibilities of postseason play for the Air Force Falcons.
Officials of the New Mexico Bowl, played Dec. 23 in Albuquerque, said the hometown Lobos would move to the front of consideration Saturday if they beat San Diego State. The Lobos are 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the Mountain West Conference.
Jeff Siembieda, executive director of the New Mexico Bowl, wasn’t ready to make a prediction. But he did clarify there is nothing in the contractual agreement with the MWC and the television package that would prohibit the Lobos from playing in the inaugural Albuquerque bowl game as long as all MWC teams with at least seven victories have been placed.
“We’ve realized for a while that we’ll have a 6-6 team in our game,” Siembieda said. “Wyoming (6-6, 5-3) already is eligible and we’d give strong consideration to the Cowboys.”
Air Force (4-6, 3-3) plays Friday at Nevada-Las Vegas and Dec. 2 at Texas Christian. If the Falcons and Colorado State (4-6, 1-5) win out and the Lobos beat San Diego State, the New Mexico Bowl would have four 6-6 teams to pick from. But the Lobos would be expected to represent the MWC in the Albuquerque game to boost attendance.
Brigham Young (9-2, 7-0) will play Dec. 21 in the Las Vegas Bowl as the MWC champion. TCU (8-2, 4-2) appears headed to San Diego to play Dec. 19 in the Poinsettia Bowl, with Utah (7-4, 5-2) pointed toward Fort Worth, Texas, to play Dec. 23 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
