LAS VEGAS — Austin Pettis and his teammates say all the right things, if only because they have no other choice. No need to disrespect Utah or the early bowl game in this gambling city, even if they would rather be smelling roses somewhere else.

What might have been for Boise State ended with two missed field goals against Nevada that cost the Broncos an expected bid to the Rose Bowl. Now they must overcome crushed expectations and perform like a BCS team against the No. 20 Utes to try and set the stage for another magical run next season.

“It’s not like we didn’t try or didn’t try and go out there to win the game,” Pettis said of the 34-31 overtime loss to Nevada. “Everyone played their best and sometimes it doesn’t work out the way we wanted to. It’s not like we’re in a bad situation. We still have a nice bowl game.”

Nice, perhaps. But playing in the desert before Christmas isn’t the same as playing in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day no matter how Boise’s players and coaches try to spin it.

Still, there’s next year to think about. And a big win over Utah (10-2), which has won nine straight bowl games, could go a long way toward retaining the national respect Boise State have built up and set the Broncos up for a higher ranking entering the 2011 season.

“I do feel pressure to finish this season off with a win,” Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. “I think it’s really important to finish this season off like we want to.”

That’s exactly what the Broncos did last year, beating Texas Christian 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl to cap an undefeated season. With this year’s loss to Nevada, though, TCU got the spot in the Rose Bowl and Boise State was shut out of the BCS all together.

At least the Broncos got a Top-25 opponent tonight in Utah, though oddsmakers still make Boise State (11-1) a 17-point favorite to win the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas.

“Going out and still proving we’re a top team in the nation,” Pettis said of Boise State’s goal. “We’ve had one slip up. We’re a couple points away from still being in that top-five teams and this opportunity for us as this team to play together one more time is big. I know this senior class the past four years have done a lot of things. The seniors themselves and the other guys want to make sure we all go out with a bang.”