But what about BYU's defense, which is No. 2 in the country in fewest points allowed, giving up just 10.17 points per game?

"I would think that they are average, and wonder how they are keeping the points off the board," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said during Monday's news conference, when asked what he would say about the Cougars if he were an offensive coordinator scouting them.

Those would be fighting words if they had come from TCU coach Gary Patterson, but the Cougars see the assessment from their own coach as sort of a compliment. They are not nearly as fast or athletic as the Horned Frogs, but they have forced just as many turnovers and actually allowed fewer points, albeit against an easier schedule.

"It is going to be two great defenses out there this week," said BYU defensive end Jan Jorgensen. "We do want to prove that we are the better of the two. "

Mendenhall said the key has been BYU's ability to create turnovers - it is second in the nation in fumbles forced, with 12 - and the way the defensive coaches, led by Jaime Hill, have been able to get the most out of each particular player's strengths.

"I think they are asking the appropriate demands of each player, at their position. We are not the most athletic, nor are we the biggest, nor are we the fastest. But I think the scheme is designed to give each player the chance to do what they are capable of doing," he said.

Rankings watch

Answering his weekly question about No. 9 BYU's position in the polls, Mendenhall said he, well, has nothing to say.

"I haven't said anything to our fans, nor to the pollsters," he said. "I will just let our play speak for itself. And at some point, at the end of the year, again, we will be judged by whatever standards we will be judged by. In the meantime, we will try to improve our football team against our own standards, and I think we are improving, with still plenty of time to go."

Injury update

Linebacker Terrance Hooks, who has been out since tearing his patellar tendon in the final days of spring ball, played part of one series against New Mexico and is probable for Thursday, Mendenhall said. The other LB who has been out after surgery for a kidney ailment, Grant Nelson, is doubtful.

Backup receiver Spencer Hafoka is also probable, having missed the last few games with a bruised foot.

Briefly

Receiver Austin Collie is the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. The junior from El Dorado Hills, Calif., had nine catches for 155 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, his fourth straight game with more than 100 receiving yards. . . . New Mexico coach Rocky Long was reprimanded by the MWC on Monday for comments he made critical of the officiating in the 21-3 loss to BYU on Saturday. Long called a block-in-the-back penalty on the Lobos "ridiculous" and "criminal."

drew@sltrib.com