UNLV football moves up in latest College Football Playoff rankings

UNLV moved up two spots in the College Football Playoff rankings ahead of its regular-season finale against UNR on Saturday.

The Rebels claimed the No. 22 spot in the updated rankings released Tuesday. They make their debut last week at No. 24.

UNLV also moved up in the national rankings this week, appearing at No. 21 in both the USA Today coaches poll and The Associated Press Top 25 poll.

The expanded 12-team CFP will give a bye to the four highest-ranked conference champions. The remaining eight teams will play against each other in the first round, with home-field advantage going to the higher seed.

The official bracket will be revealed Dec. 8.

The Rebels (9-2, 5-1 Mountain West) need a win against UNR on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium to set up a meeting with Boise State in the Mountain West championship game.

UNLV would have a great case for the CFP if it defeats the Broncos for the conference crown.

Boise State (10-1, 7-0) was No. 11 in the rankings Tuesday. The Broncos beat the Rebels 29-24 on Oct. 25 at Allegiant Stadium. The only other school outside of the major four conferences ahead of UNLV is No. 17 Tulane, which moved up from 20th last week.

Army, which was No. 19 last week, fell out of the rankings.

The teams that would join Boise State in the CFP as of Tuesday are No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Penn State, No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 6 Miami (Florida), No. 7 Georgia, No. 8 Tennessee, No. 9 SMU, No. 10 Indiana and No. 16 Arizona State.

Boise State, Oregon, Texas and Miami would receive first-round byes. No. 12 Clemson, No. 13 Alabama and No. 14 Ole Miss would be the first teams out.

Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.