The stage is set for another high-stakes showdown in Boise—this time with everything on the line for the Mountain West crown. But here's where things get really interesting: for the third straight season, it's Boise State and UNLV squaring off in a championship battle that has become one of the conference's fiercest rivalries.
November 30, 2025 — The Mountain West announced that Boise State will host UNLV for the 2025 Mountain West Football Championship on Friday, December 5, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The action kicks off at 6 p.m. MT on FOX, following the Mountain West Network’s Pregame Live Show broadcast.
This game marks the third consecutive year the Broncos and Rebels have faced each other for the title—a rare repeat matchup that speaks volumes about both programs’ dominance in recent seasons. And yet, the route to this year’s championship wasn’t easy.
Four powerhouse programs—Boise State, UNLV, San Diego State, and New Mexico—all ended conference play tied at 6–2. Since not all teams met in head-to-head competition this season, the Mountain West turned to an aggregate of respected national analytics to determine the finalists. The tiebreak relied on a blend of Connelly SP+, ESPN Strength of Record (SOR), KPI, and SportSource rankings.
When the numbers settled, UNLV topped the group with a composite average of 45.50, followed closely by Boise State at 47.75. From there, the tiebreaker shifted back to the head-to-head result—and that October 18 clash in Boise proved decisive. The Broncos’ emphatic 56–31 home victory over the Rebels sealed their right to host the championship game. San Diego State trailed close behind with a 51.00 average, while New Mexico rounded out the group at 54.75.
For UNLV, this marks the program’s third appearance in the Mountain West Championship, as the Rebels chase their first-ever conference title. Under first-year head coach Dan Mullen, UNLV is enjoying a breakout season, finishing 10–2 overall after a commanding 42–17 rivalry win against Nevada. They’ve reached double-digit wins for just the fourth time in school history—and, notably, in back-to-back years for the very first time. Riding a four-game win streak, the Rebels come into Boise with momentum and belief.
On the other side, Boise State—an established conference dynasty—continues to write its own chapter of sustained success. The Broncos improved to 8–4 after closing the regular season with two straight victories, including a dramatic 25–24 road triumph at Utah State that secured their share of the league’s top record. Despite losing starting quarterback Maddux Madsen to injury in early November, the Broncos showed grit and depth, qualities that have long defined their football culture.
This marks Boise State’s ninth overall appearance in the Mountain West title game, and they’ll be chasing their sixth championship—and third straight crown—after back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. They defeated UNLV 44–20 in Las Vegas two years ago and took down another challenger 21–7 last season in Boise.
Fans eager to be part of the energy can secure seats through BroncoSports.com, with tickets starting at $35.
Who do you think has the edge this time—UNLV’s fresh momentum or Boise State’s championship experience? Does home-field advantage tilt the scale, or could Dan Mullen’s Rebels finally capture that elusive title? Let the debate begin in the comments.
