Provo » Utah football players spoke freely about this week's rivalry game with BYU after their 38-7 win over San Diego State on Saturday, and some such as Mike Wright tossed out a little smack.

The linebacker from Bountiful said "we're going to show them what's up this upcoming week," among other mild verbal jabs.

Different story from the BYU players after they dismantled Air Force 38-21, as every Cougar, it seemed, repeated the same refrain: We're going to enjoy this win right now and start talking and worrying about Utah on Monday.

Specifically asked to say something, anything, about playing Utah on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium (3 p.m.) after he had two interceptions and caused a fumble against the Falcons, safety Andrew Rich shook his head.

"No, I would rather not," he said.

It will be the only college football game this week pitting ranked teams, as BYU moved up to No. 18 in the AP poll and the Utes moved up to No. 22.

Clearly, coaches or team captains had issued the no-Utah-talk edict, although no player except quarterback Max Hall was willing to even acknowledge that.

"I know coach doesn't want us talking about it until Monday, so we are going to enjoy this win against Air Force, and then get ready," he said.

The Cougars had the same unwritten policy last year after beating Air Force 38-24 in Colorado Springs prior to the Utah game.

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"Come Monday, that will be a work day for Utah," said tight end Dennis Pitta, who caught two touchdown passes against AFA and had a third called back by a penalty. "So we are not going to worry about that this weekend."

Said linebacker Shawn Doman: "Victories over any team are difficult to come by. You have to savor them."

That's been BYU's mantra all season. Coach Bronco Mendenhall has stressed having fun, enjoying the journey and allowing more time for building positive memories.

However, the coach did acknowledge that the upcoming week will be unlike any other during the season.

I think the nature of next week's game, there is almost an inherent emotion that comes with it anyway," he said, when asked if the Cougars can stay on an emotional high for two weeks. "Usually it is trying to tone it down if you can, because the players are so excited.

"Maybe if it was another conference opponent, or just another game, along the way somewhere, game six, game seven, game five, it might be hard to continue [playing with the emotion the Cougars displayed against Air Force]."

drew@sltrib.com