Independence could hurt BYU

Until Tuesday afternoon, Bronco Mendenhall had avoided engaging in any talk about his Brigham Young football program going independent.

But with the rumor spreading Monday and word leaking Tuesday afternoon that the Cougars were taking their nonfootball sports from the Mountain West Conference to the West Coast Conference, Mendenhall's highly regarded program is at highest risk.

Can the Cougars reach their goals as an independent?

It will be difficult. Going independent doesn't put them closer to Bowl Championship Series status and greatly lessens their chances of playing in any quality bowl game. It doesn't get them into the Big 12 Conference -- and if behind-the-scenes talk is to be believed, that will never happen anyway. It doesn't make their scheduling any easier.

When the news became official about BYU's departure following the 2011-12 academic year, Mendenhall called it "our best option," according to The Salt Lake Tribune. He also said his players cheered the news.

Mendenhall is a good soldier who believes in what BYU stands for, so he wouldn't criticize the school even if he disagreed. He's also honest, so it's usually safe to take him at his word.

But it might be interesting to hear what Mendenhall would say if given truth serum about what he believes to be his program's "best option."

And after a year or two of trying to go the independent route, BYU will have to answer whether it let jealousy over archrival Utah's move to the Pac-10 Conference cloud its judgment on what's best for its football program.

BYU is betting its prized program -- the face of the school, in many ways -- that this risky bet will pay off. Maybe the Cougars have been influenced by their many trips to Las Vegas.

■ REBELS AT LEAST HAVE HEART -- At his first team meeting after being hired in late December, UNLV coach Bobby Hauck scanned the room to figure out what kind of players he had.

"I asked where all the big guys were," Hauck said. "We didn't have a big football team. When we had our first practice, my first impression was they were hungry and wanted to win. That's my impression now."

His first game as the Rebels' coach will be Saturday when No. 12 Wisconsin visits Sam Boyd Stadium.

Hauck had nothing but praise for the Badgers, and when asked what advantages his Rebels had in this game, he responded, "We don't have to travel."

UNLV, which would have a difficult time winning at full strength, has a number of injury concerns.

Hauck released a fairly lengthy injury list that included as questionable offensive tackle Matt Murphy (foot), running back C.J Cox (leg), safety Alex De Giacomo (shoulder) and cornerbacks Quinton Pointer (leg) and Will Chandler (shoulder). Murphy is the only one who hasn't been practicing.

The Rebels also indefinitely suspended backup cornerback Cedric Coleman for breaking unspecified team rules.

■ BIG WEEK -- UNLV's game against Wisconsin is one of four opening games pitting Mountain West teams against ranked opponents.

Utah hosts No. 15 Pittsburgh on Thursday. On Saturday, New Mexico is at No. 11 Oregon, and No. 6 Texas Christian faces No. 24 Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Those games will provide an early barometer on where the MWC stands, though the BYU news is sure to overshadow whatever happens on the field. 

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.