San Diego State knew two weeks ago it would be going to a bowl game for a school-record sixth straight season.

The where and when for the postseason appearance remains to be seen, even after the Aztecs’ 31-14 Mountain West win over Nevada on Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium. It was SDSU’s eighth straight victory, maintaining the momentum that has a couple of the better bowls keeping an eye on the Aztecs.

One way or another, SDSU could be looking at a desert destination.

SDSU, Air Force and BYU remain in the mix for the Las Vegas Bowl, which has first choice of a Mountain West participant that will be matched against a Pac-12 opponent. Arizona State, UCLA, USC and Utah are the Pac-12 teams under consideration.


“We don’t have a very clear picture,” said John Saccenti, executive director for the Las Vegas Bowl. “You have Air Force, San Diego State and BYU all with very similar records, all very attractive. The Pac-12 side we have all these great teams that can drive in big names, but there all kind of jumbled up together.

“It’s amazing all the different scenarios and teams that are still in the mix. Normally this week we’ve got it down to maybe two on each side. It’s been crazy.”

BYU has agreements with both the Las Vegas Bowl and Hawaii Bowl. Saccenti said he is hoping to get officials from both bowls, BYU and ESPN together on Sunday afternoon for a conference call to see if the situation with the Cougars can be sorted out.

BYU travels better than most schools. The Las Vegas Bowl, which has a $1.25 million payout, is still be encouraged by its MW options, however.


“We’re in a dream scenario with both Air Force and San Diego State in the Mountain West because both of them are hot,” Saccenti said.

Another opportunity could present itself with the Cactus Bowl in Arizona. The Cactus, which will be played Jan. 2, matches teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12.

The wild card in the deal is that the Big 12 only has six bowl-eligible teams (Kansas State needs to beat West Virginia on Saturday to make it seven). The Cactus gets either the sixth or seventh pick in the conference, depending on how many Big 12 teams are selected for the New Years Six games. Projections right now have Oklahoma being part of the four-team playoff and the conference should have a New Year’s Six team as well.

That would leave just four bowl-eligible Big 12 teams (currently), which would put the Cactus on the outside looking in. The bowl has a backup agreement with the Mountain West. And that’s where the Aztecs come in.


“If the Big 12 is unable to deliver a team, then we go to our Mountain West contract,” said Mike Nealy, executive director of the Cactus Bowl. “We’d love to host San Diego State. We would welcome San Diego State with open arms.”

Nealy said SDSU is appealing because of the school’s proximity and it has not appeared in the Cactus Bowl before.

“With the fan base there being pretty close by, that would be advantageous,” Nealy said.

This year’s game will be played Jan. 2 at Chase Field in Phoenix. Motel 6 was added just this week as the game’s title sponsor. The Cactus Bowl payout has been just north of $3 million in recent years, although Nealy would not say what the expected payout is for this year’s game.


The Cactus Bowl could be preferred by SDSU for a few of reasons — a larger payout, more practice time and perceived prestige.

The payout certainly would be a windfall for the Aztecs athletic department. SDSU fell short of projections last year, but expects to more than make up for it with this year’s Mountain West Championship Game appearance. A big bowl payout would be a bonus.

The Las Vegas Bowl comes just two weeks after the conference championship game, so most of the Aztecs’ practice preparation will be focused on their bowl opponent. The Cactus Bowl would afford nearly two more weeks of practices. SDSU head coach Rocky Long said late bowl dates amount to a “second spring” because of the additional instruction young players are able to receive.

The Cactus Bowl is the last bowl game to be played before the national championship game, a spot that lends itself to increased exposure and credibility.