Las Vegas Bowl

Utah (8-3) vs.

Fresno State (8-4)

When: Today, 6 p.m.

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

TV: ESPN2

Line: Utah by 5 1/2

Series record: Tied 4-4

Outlook: This game, a reunion of former Western Athletic Conference rivals, is something of a grudge match. The Utes earned a share of the inaugural Mountain West Conference title, finishing 5-2 in the conference. Fresno State, the WAC co-champion, had hoped to join the eight schools that left the 16-team WAC to form the MWC, but was denied. The Utes are appearing in a bowl game for the fifth time since 1992. It's the Bulldogs' first bowl in six years. Fresno State QB Billy Volek completed a career-best 66 percent of his passes while throwing for 30 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Each team led its conference in scoring, averaging better than 30 points. On defense, Utah held opponents to 17.6 points a game, and the Bulldogs allowed 22.1. For Utah, starting QB T.D. Croshaw rejoined his teammates in Las Vegas yesterday after taking one day off to return to Salt Lake City and get married.