UNLV bowl projections after Week 14: Exploring Rebels' postseason chances

The UNLV Rebels beat the Nevada Wolf Pack 38-14 in Week 14 to improve to 10-2 overall, and 6-1 in MWC play. It marked their fourth consecutive win over a conference opponent to close the regular season as they look to make a late push to reach the College Football Playoff.

While the Rebels were not ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, their strong play has put them within touching distance of reaching the postseason in the first season of the 12-team format.

They were ranked 19th in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll. Although the far more important College Football Playoff rankings won't be updated until Tuesday, UNLV entered the week ranked 22nd.

They have already secured bowl eligibility as FBS teams must finish with at least six wins with at least a .500 winning percentage for bowl eligibility, with only one win against an FCS opponent counting towards those numbers.

Take a look at which bowl game the Rebels could play in below.

UNLV bowl projections after Week 14: Exploring Rebels' postseason chances

The UNLV Rebels are bowl eligible, however, their sights are set much higher as they sit at 10-2 following their Week 14 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack. The Rebels began the season on a four-game winning streak - beating the Houston Cougars, FCS level Utah Tech Trailblazers, Kansas Jayhawks, and Fresno State Bulldogs, outscoring their opponents 181-55 to enter the AP Top 25 Poll.

They suffered their first loss of the season in Week 6 as they fell 44-41 to the now-No. 23-ranked Syracuse Orange. UNLV responded with victories over the Utah State Aggies and Oregon State Beavers to improve to 6-1. They suffered a 29-24 defeat to the now-No. 10-ranked Boise State Broncos the following week.

The Rebels have responded with four consecutive conference wins against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, San Diego State Aztecs, San Jose State Spartans and Nevada Wolf Pack. They are set to rematch the Boise State Broncos in the MWC Championship Game on Friday, December 6 with a trip to the College Football Playoff on the line.

If they can emerge victorious, they will earn a trip to the postseason, and potentially one of the four first-round byes in the postseason bracket. The most common projections, however, have them falling short in the MWC Championship Game and playing in the LA Bowl on December 18.