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FORT WORTH, Texas - True to the scriptures he frequently referenced after taking the job, Brigham Young coach Bronco Mendenhall is building the program, line upon line, precept upon precept.

Almost 22 months ago, Mendenhall inherited a mess. The program, battered by a series of scandals and brutal losses, had more division problems than a math book.

"It is sequential," he said. "It went from having a divided football team to a team that wouldn't compete at the highest level to now, a team that's unified, that will battle you right to the end. Now, it's one or two plays that move us forward."

BYU's 6-6 record last season wasn't bad, considering all the heavy lifting. In Year 2 of Mendenhall's reign, the realistic goal is a Mountain West championship.

To get there, the obvious hurdle is a win close games - an accomplishment that

has consistently eluded the Cougars. The third chance - if you're counting this season - likely could come this afternoon against No. 17 Texas Christian.

BYU believes this game should involve two ranked teams. But the Cougars haven't done their part, losing on a last-second field goal to Arizona and in double overtime at Boston College.

"We've had enough [close losses] now to have learned a lot of lessons," Mendenhall said.

Using a direct and honest approach, he has worked tirelessly to bring together all sides of his team. Among his efforts were team activities evenings after fall camp practices and adopting the slogan "Band of Brothers."

Mendenhall believes BYU can win a conference championship and compete at the nation level. Despite evidence to the contrary - namely four consecutive non-winning seasons - he's talking about this season.

"To acknowledge that we haven't made progress, that we're not playing at a higher level, I think that would be a great mistake," he said, "and I don't think it would be an accurate perception."

To realize the coach's faith, the Cougars probably need to beat the defending conference champions. The Horned Frogs are BYU's dream team, almost annually a player on the national scene.

In Gary Patterson's six seasons as head coach, TCU has gone 46-18. Last season, their first in the Mountain West, the Horned Frogs zipped through the conference undefeated.

BYU, conversely, hasn't sniffed the rankings in four years. The program last beat a ranked team in 1999.

"We know we can play a high level," said quarterback John Beck. "When we play at a high level, we're good. It's up to us to come out and execute at our highest level.

"I don't think there's a team that's unbeatable, especially in our conference. I don't think there's an extreme powerhouse."

Beck has a point, considering TCU needed overtime to beat BYU and Utah last season. Its wins this season, excluding a laugher over a Division I-AA team, have come by less than two touchdowns.

But reality is, the Horned Frogs do what BYU hasn't - or can't.

Rather than destroy the team, as the string of losses did in 2003 and '04, the tough losses have brought this group closer. So far, there's been no finger-pointer.

"I'm sick of it," said linebacker Cameron Jensen, summing up the team's mood about the narrow defeats.

Following Mendenhall's stay-the-course philosophy, nobody has made any fire-and-brimstone speeches. The message is to make one more play than the opponent.

If that's the case today, this game could become the rallying point in Mendenhall's career.

"I'm not sure we'll ever be able to point to the game, but maybe some time from now we'll look back and say when it was and we'll probably be able to identify it."

3 Keys to a BYU victory

1. NO STAINS ON NO. 12

Given John Beck's ankle injuries, which limit his already suspect mobility, BYU's offensive line must keep the TCU defenders out of the quarterback's

face.

2. DON'T LET HIM RUN WILD

BYU's defense has to control TCU's running game, which has consisted primarily of tailback Aaron

Brown.

3. KEEP THEM IN THE PARK

The Cougars could be in trouble if TCU's offense comes up with one or two home runs. Limiting the big play will greatly aid BYU's chances.

BYU at TCU

* At Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas

* Kickoff: 4 p.m. MDT

* TV: Versus (formerly OLN)

* Radio: 102.7 FM, 1160 AM

* Records: BYU 2-2, TCU 3-0

* Series: BYU leads 3-2

* Last meeting: TCU 51-50, Sept. 24, 2005

* Line: TCU by 5 1/2

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About the Cougars: After tonight they will have one game (at home against San Diego State on Oct. 7) in the next 23 days. . . . John Beck passed for 517 yards against TCU last season.

About the Horned Frogs: QB Jeff Ballard is 11-0 as a starter. . . . They have been off since beating Texas Tech on Sept. 16. They play again on Thursday next week at Utah. . . . Both Div. I-A wins came against Big 12 teams, Baylor and Texas Tech.