"For a team to start hooting and hollering, and start shouting when they are down by [27], just because they scored a touchdown, that means something," Collie said. "I think every team in our conference - now that we are getting into conference [play] - is out to beat us. And we are the king, and they want to take us off our throne."

The latest threat to the throne of the two-time Mountain West Conference champions is New Mexico, which rides into Provo for a 4 p.m. matchup Saturday fresh off its first conference shutout in 25 years. The Lobos blanked Wyoming 24-0 in rainy Albuquerque on Saturday despite not having the services of the league's leading rusher, Rodney Ferguson, who is nursing a sore shoulder.

BYU defensive end Brett Denney said the Lobos are always dangerous because they run the ball so effectively and their defense is always sound. With Ferguson out, freshman James Wright ran for 120 yards and Paul Baker added 90 yards against the Cowboys.

"They are a good team. Every time we play them, they come out fighting," Denney said. "I do know that in the past, they come to play every time. So we can't take them lightly, that's for sure. "

New Mexico has won two of the past three games against the Cougars in Provo, although BYU easily won 42-17 in 2006.

While UNM's running back situation is tenuous (Baker also has a sore foot) and it is playing a backup quarterback - Brad Gruner having replaced Donovan Porterie, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Tulsa - the Cougars have injury issues of their own.

Linebacker David Nixon and defensive back Scott Johnson left the USU game with leg contusions, and their status will be updated today. And the Cougars' offense hasn't quite been the same without starting receiver Michael Reed (torn meniscus). His status probably won't be known until game time, but BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said last week that Reed's recovery was "ahead of schedule."

drew@sltrib.com