Since 2006, the BYU Cougars under Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall have won 10+ games and gone to the same place year after year: the Las Vegas Bowl. Could BYU be headed to the same place after finishing only 7-5?

Strange, but true.

No, this isn't the most likely scenario, but it's possible nonetheless. BYU could end its time as part of the Mountain West Conference by playing in the fifth selected team from the Pac-10.

How is that possible? Just going to a bowl game seemed almost out of reach in the aftermath of BYU's catastrophic loss at Utah State. Now, a few weeks and a defensive coordinator firing later, BYU could finish as high as second in the conference when all is said and done.

Here's what would need to happen to make a return to the Vegas Bowl possible:

1. BYU would have to win out, including a big game against bitter in-state rival No. 14 Utah in Salt Lake City.

2. No. 3 TCU would need to beat San Diego State.

3. San Diego State would need to beat No. 14 Utah.

If those three things happen, BYU could be heading off to Vegas.

Now there is one caveat. Bowls like the Las Vegas Bowl don't have to take the teams in order of conference records. Assuming that No. 3 TCU goes to a BCS Bowl (with the National Championship Game a distinct possibility), the Vegas Bowl gets first pick of any of the remaining bowl eligible teams. They could pick Utah or San Diego State, or even Air Force over BYU.

However, if the above scenario happens, the Vegas Bowl will probably pick BYU. The reason why is that BYU will make them more money than any other MWC team. The Cougars have a large fanbase that's sold out their allotment every time they've gone to Vegas, and they'll be more excited than any other team to be there this year. 

Odd, isn't it? You wouldn't think that BYU and Vegas go together (and they don't), but as far as the Vegas Bowl goes it works quite nicely.

Yes, this is a bit of a stretch, but who would have predicted Texas being 4-5? Or Alabama losing to the "Mad Hatter?" Or that Florida would have so much trouble this year? Stranger things have happened this season.