BOISE — When the Boise State schedule came out in the spring, many looked at the first game as the key to the season.

Though Oregon certainly was a big opponent, tonight's game against Nevada has much more riding on it.

No. 6 Boise State (11-0, 6-0 WAC) and Nevada (8-3, 7-0 WAC) will battle for at least a share of the Western Athletic Conference crown. A Nevada win would give the Wolf Pack the title outright.

"This is why you play the game," Boise State safety Jeron Johnson said. "It's at the end of the season against a great team for the conference championship. You can't

really ask for more."

An impressive streak of some sort will come to an end today.

The Wolf Pack have won eight straight games, averaging 51.6 points per game during the span, while the Broncos are riding an 11-game winning streak. A Nevada win would be the first for a conference opponent at Bronco Stadium since Nov. 21, 1998 — a streak of 40 games.

Two years ago, Nevada came into Bronco Stadium and left on the losing end of a 69-67 game in four overtimes.

"We know if we don't put our best effort together, anyone can beat us," Boise State receiver Austin Pettis said. "With a team that's really good and knows it can compete up here, we can't take it for granted that we'll win no matter what."

If the Broncos win, it would keep their hopes of landing a Bowl Championship Series game alive and give them at least a share of the WAC title for the seventh time in eight seasons.

"It's kind of interesting how it's all come down to the end of the year," Boise State coach Chris

Petersen said.