The University of Nevada needs only the approval of the Western Athletic Conference Bowl Committee tomorrow to give the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl its first champion of a conference.

The Wolf Pack (8-3, 7-1 WAC) upset No. 16 Fresno State, 38-35, yesterday to earn a share of its first WAC title and will represent the conference in the Dec. 24 Hawai'i Bowl, pending approval by the five-member committee of athletic directors from bowl-ineligible WAC teams.

A Fresno win next week would give the WAC a three-way tie for the title among Nevada, FSU and Boise State. Otherwise, Nevada and Boise State share the title. Hawai'i has represented the WAC in the three previous Hawai'i Bowls but not as a champion.

The Wolf Pack's opponent at Aloha Stadium could also be determined tomorrow with Memphis and Southern Mississippi the leading contenders from Conference USA.

C-USA's bowl picture was thrown into chaos yesterday by Southern Methodist's 40-27 upset of Texas-El Paso. UTEP (8-3) had been ticketed for the Liberty Bowl to play Fresno State after the conference championship game.

But the win by 5-6 SMU put Tulsa (7-4) in the championship game against Central Florida and has shaken up the tentative bowl lineup.

The only apparent road block to Nevada's appearance in the Hawai'i Bowl would be a long shot if a spot opened up for the Wolf Pack in the Motor City Bowl.