Ah, rivalry week.

Nothing produces colorful comments like the meetings between two teams who are taught to dislike each other.

Exhibit A: Idaho football coach Robb Akey, who said Monday that some folks seem to think the Vandals shouldn't even bother showing up for Saturday's sold-out game at No. 6 Boise State.

The Broncos (9-0, 4-0 WAC) haven't lost to the Vandals (7-3, 5-2) since 1998.

"It needs to be turned back into a rival game," Akey said. "I know I'm not supposed to say things like that because I'm supposed to pay homage to Boise State and we're not supposed to even line up. In fact, it was suggested by some people that we just treat this like a bye week and don't bother to even go play the game because we can't touch them.

"But we're going to be there. Kickoff is at 1:30 and we're going to get there around 11:30 so we make sure they can't start without us. We're going to pin our ears back and get after it and we're going to have a great time with this ball game."

Akey also suggested the rest of the WAC would be rooting for the Broncos because of the money they could generate for the league with a Bowl Championship Series berth.

"I want to be the least popular individual with all the WAC administrators after we get done on Saturday," Akey said, "because if we take care of business there's not going to be a BCS bowl for Boise State and there won't be any BCS money for the conference."

This is the first time since 1999 that the Broncos and Vandals each have seven wins coming into this game. It also could be the first time that both play in a bowl game in the same year.

Boise State coach Chris Petersen says the Vandals' turnaround this year is good for his team. The Vandals always fight hard against the Broncos, he said, but this year that won't surprise anyone.

"Now that their record is very good and there's no question they're much improved, I think everybody knows it's going to be a really hard-fought game," Petersen said. "... Those guys have done just a great job competing their tails off and winning most of their games. It's just an exciting time in the whole state."

LATE START FOR NEVADA GAME

The Boise State-Nevada game, which could decide the WAC title, will kick off at 8:08 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Bronco Stadium, the WAC and Boise State said. The game is slated for ESPN2.

"Of course we'd rather have it earlier in the day," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said. "That's one of ESPN's windows that they have dedicated to us. And we're at ESPN's control on that."

INJURY UPDATE

Boise State is hopeful that defensive end Shea McClellin will be able to play despite an arm injury, Petersen said.

Nickel Winston Venable, who left the Louisiana Tech game, is fine, Petersen said. He had a cut.

TWO-POINT CONFIDENCE

Petersen's decision to go for a two-point conversion with an eight-point lead Friday at Louisiana Tech went against the card that tells coaches when to kick the PAT and when to go for two.

Quarterback Kellen Moore hit slot receiver Tyler Shoemaker to convert the two-point play.

"After you do it, you say, 'That was probably not the smartest thing,' but we've been really good on two-point conversions," Petersen said.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Boise State's internal players of the week were wide receiver Titus Young (offense), defensive end Byron Hout (defense), punt returner Kyle Wilson (special teams), safety Travis Stanaway (Hammer), left tackle Nate Potter (lineman), wide receiver Geraldo Hiwat (scout offense), defensive end Nick Alexander (scout defense) and cornerback Quaylon Ewing (scout special teams).

The WAC honorees were Hawaii running back Leon Wright-Jackson (167 rushing yards, three TDs), Fresno State safety Lorne Bell (nine tackles) and Fresno State kicker Kevin Goessling (52-yard field goal).