MWC notebook: UNLV coach feels fading job security

Mike Sanford's days as UNLV's coach may be numbered.

The Rebels were embarrassed by in-state rival Nevada last weekend, 63-28. And this week, school president Neal Smatresk told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the program is on high alert.

"The (Nevada) game was very disappointing," Smatresk said. "We are concerned for our student-athletes, we are concerned for our fans, and we'll be keeping an eye on the situation on a game-to-game basis to see how things go. We're going to be watching."

Sanford, meanwhile, is focusing on his team's next opponent — No. 18 BYU.

"It was a very difficult loss last week," Sanford said Tuesday. "We've got a huge game against BYU. It's a great opportunity, and to play them at our house and to play football again. We are looking forward to that."

Earlier this season, UNLV whipped Sacramento State and edged Hawaii, but lost heartbreakers to Oregon State and Wyoming. Last week's defeat may have been the backbreaker for Sanford — unless the Rebels can turn things around this season.

In Sanford's four previous years at the helm, UNLV posted a 13-39 overall record. After winning only two games in each of his first three seasons, the Rebels went 5-7 a year ago. This year, UNLV had high hopes of landing in a bowl game for the first time since 2000. But now, it appears the Rebels are going the wrong direction again.

ANOTHER BOWL FOR MWC?: The Shreveport Times reported Wednesday that the Independence Bowl, played in Shreveport, La., is brokering a deal that would pit an Atlantic Coast Conference team against a squad from the Mountain West.

Last week, the Independence Bowl severed ties with the Big 12 after being partners since 1998. A bowl official said an announcement could come by Friday.

The 2009 Independence Bowl, to be played on Dec. 28, will match the seventh selection of bowl-eligible teams from the Big 12 against the eighth selection among bowl-eligible teams from the Southeastern Conference.

Last year, the Big 12 and SEC didn't have enough bowl-eligible teams to fill the spots.

MWC vs. WAC: Because eight Mountain West teams broke away from the Western Athletic Conference back in 1998, there's a natural rivalry between the two leagues. And that rivalry is playing out on the field.