Bowl Season '08: Arizona Wildcats Snarl BYU Cougars in Las Vegas

FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.

So it snowed in Las Vegas this week. Cheeseburger happy David Hasselhoff sang the national anthem at the Las Vegas Bowl. Alcohol, drug and sin-free BYU fans made their way to America's modern Gomorrah. Yeah, weird was in the air.

Makes sense then that a Pac-10 team would turn the tables on what is usually the home to embarrassing bowl defeats for the conference. Arizona did the honors, holding off a late BYU rally to prevail 31-21. A pair of receivers were the stars in a sloppy game marred by countless fumbles and questionable organization by game officials.

For three quarters the game was up for grabs until Arizona broke through with a 24-yard touchdown pass at the end of the third quarter to go ahead 24-14. BYU threatened early in the fourth quarter getting to Arizona's 31-yard-line before quarterback Max Hall was intercepted in the back of the end zone thanks to a spectacular snag from Wildcat defensive back Marquis Hundley.

Wildcat senior receiver Michael Thomas got a worthless and staged last-minute reception to establish himself as the Pac-10's alltime career receptions leader. Kudos to the speedy smurf, its been a nice career.

Even more impressive, BYU's Austin Collie recorded his 11th consecutive 100-yard receiving game. His streak was in doubt until a flurry of late receptions helped him cross the mythical threshold. He finished with 11 catches and 119 yards that caps a magical season of more than 100 catches and 1,500+ yards.

The victory also helps the Pac-10 extract a small measure of revenge against the Mountain West, which had gone 1-6 against their big-conference foes in the regular season.

Meanwhile, a gaggle of giddy Arizona students emboldened by a victory are being unleashed upon Las Vegas as we speak. Its gonna be a long night for the good people of Sin City.