MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL

CONFERENCE STANDINGS

The Mountain West from top to bottom:

No. 15 Utah (5-0, 2-0 MWC) vs. Oregon State (2-2), Thursday: Utes lost quarterback Brian Johnson and tailback Matt Asiata to injury in last season's game against Oregon State.

No. 8 Brigham Young (4-0, 1-0) at Utah State (1-3), Friday: Cougars have not trailed at halftime in past 15 games.

Texas Christian (4-1, 1-0) vs. San Diego State (1-3, 0-0): Horned Frogs have gone 10 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

Air Force (3-1, 1-1) vs. Navy (3-2): Falcons have lost five in a row in this series.

Colorado State (2-2, 0-0) vs. UNLV (3-2, 0-1): Rams one of three teams nationally without a lost fumble.

San Diego State (1-3, 0-0) at TCU (4-1, 1-0): Quarterback Ryan Lindley set MWC freshman records with 433 yards and four touchdowns against Idaho.

UNLV (3-2, 0-1) at Colorado State (2-2, 0-0): Rebels remain perfect in the red zone, converting all 15 chances, turning 12 into touchdowns.

New Mexico (2-3, 0-1) vs. Wyoming (2-3, 0-2): Lobos have been outscored 72-17 in the first quarter.

Wyoming (2-3, 0-2) at New Mexico (2-3, 0-1): Cowboys last in conference in total and scoring offense, pass efficiency rating and turnover margin.

FIVE BEST PLAYERS

1. Max Hall, QB, BYU: Sixth nationally in pass efficiency rating, at 180.8.

2. Brian Johnson, QB, Utah: Second in conference only to Hall in pass efficiency rating, at 152.8.

3. Harvey Unga, RB, BYU: Ability to make plays in passing game helps separate him from other backs.

4. Devin Moore, RB, Wyoming: Despite drawing attention of opposing defense, has 506 yards on a 5.7 rushing average.

5. Paul Kruger, DL, Utah: Probably league's most dominant player off the edge.

THEY WROTE IT ...

SI.com writer Stewart Mandel, on BYU's chances of playing for the national championship: "While BYU's 'signature victory' so far -- a 59-0 trashing of UCLA -- might not stand the test of time if the Bruins go 5-7, an undefeated season will require beating its three toughest conference opponents (Utah, TCU and Air Force) on the road. Make no mistake: BYU will never get the nod over an undefeated SEC or Big 12 team. If a USC or Georgia wins out, it would likely jump back ahead of the Cougars. But what happens if everybody ahead of them loses (which, at the current rate, seems highly plausible)? Is the nation ready for a national-title crasher? Or will the pollsters eventually invoke a BYU ceiling?"

Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal columnist Rick Wright, on New Mexico's 35-24 victory over New Mexico State: "There still exists, (coach Rocky) Long admitted, a gap between where the Lobos are and where they need to be. (Quarterback Brad) Gruner, though he grew up considerably in the second half, finished with only 55 yards passing. Coming after last Saturday's 56-14 rout at the hands of Tulsa, though, UNM's victory over the Aggies -- and how it was achieved -- should restore a volume of lost respect. Self-respect? That, clearly, they never lost."

Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram columnist Gil LeBreton, on TCU's loss at Oklahoma that came three years after the Horned Frogs pull off an upset victory there: "Payback, as it turns out, isn't only hell. It's also a vengeful Oklahoma team, with the nation's No. 1 ranking on the line. Fire and brimstone, apparently, are optional. The stakes, the tenor, the Sooners' talent -- it was all too hellacious for the Horned Frogs on Saturday, as the 35-10 pummeling convincingly attests."

THEY SAID IT ...

Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild, on a 42-7 loss to California: "We were absolutely stinking the joint up offensively. I kept waiting for us to click for any period of consistency offensively, and we just couldn't find it. Offensively, we were awful, and it starts with me. It was not a situation where we were outmatched."

Air Force safety Aaron Kirchoff, on Navy's five-year domination of the armed services series that includes Army: "I've never seen the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in person. I hate saying it. I hate it."

TCU coach Gary Patterson, on playing better defense by going back to basics after a rough beginning at Oklahoma: "When I stopped being a 'guru,' we played better."

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON/REVIEW-JOURNAL