In his annual ranking of the 33 bowl games, Mark Schlabach of ESPN has ranked the Las Vegas Bowl between Oregon State and BYU as his 7th best. It is only behind the Capital One Bowl (Penn State-LSU) and Gator Bowl (West Virginia- Florida State), as well as four of the BCS bowls. It still remains ahead of the Orange Bowl, which is #8.

Interesting to note that both BYU and Oregon State are getting some recognition for what they have accomplished this year. Had the Civil War not mattered, I think this game would probably be less than 10th. Here's what Schlabach had to say:

7. MAACO Las Vegas Bowl
No. 18 Oregon State vs. No. 14 BYU
8 p.m. ET, Dec. 22

Oddly enough, Las Vegas has become BYU's second home. The Cougars will be playing in the Las Vegas Bowl for the fifth consecutive season, and they've gone 2-2 against Pac-10 teams in the bowl. It's the first time they'll play the Beavers, who were one victory away from playing in the Rose Bowl. It's the first meeting of ranked teams in the Las Vegas Bowl.