Did Wyoming just help Western Michigan’s chances for a New Year’s Six Bowl?

The Cowboys retained control of the Mountain West Conference’s Mountain Division with a 34-33 win over San Diego State when SDSU’s game-winning two-point conversion attempt fell short.

It initially looked like the Aztecs were going to lose 34-27 after a last-gasp throw to the end zone with no time left was ruled incomplete. But after a long review, it was ruled that Quest Truxton caught the ball as he fell to the ground for what could have been the game-tying touchdown.

But with the West division title all sewn up, SDSU decided to go for two. And quarterback Christian Chapman’s pass fell incomplete.

Wyoming entered the game a half-game behind Boise State in the Mountain. But thanks to a 30-28 win over the Broncos two weeks ago, the Cowboys have the tiebreaker atop the division.

That tiebreaker is important because the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion in the College Football Playoff rankings gets selected to play in a big bowl game, likely the Cotton Bowl. And when Tuesday’s CFP rankings came out, Boise State was one spot ahead of Western Michigan.

WMU beat Buffalo 38-0 on Saturday to move to 11-0 while Boise State beat UNLV on Friday. But the rankings don’t matter if Boise State can’t win its own conference. And as long as Wyoming beats New Mexico next week, Boise will be locked out of the MWC title game.

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It’s more than simply Boise State for WMU too. While San Diego State will have a chance to beat Wyoming (or Boise State) in the MWC title game, a two-loss SDSU team doesn’t stack up very well against a potentially undefeated Western Michigan team. Had San Diego State beaten Wyoming and subsequently beaten Boise State in the MWC championship, it was incredibly conceivable the Aztecs could be getting that Cotton Bowl berth over WMU.

But now WMU just needs to beat Toledo and win the MAC title game while hoping Wyoming holds serve vs. the Lobos. It’s no guarantee, but it’s a far better scenario than what would lie ahead had San Diego State gotten that two-point conversion.

Row the boat, WMU Broncos fans. The dream season is looking brighter than ever.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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