I wrote about what the Cougars are up against in their season-opener this week as they prepare to face arguably the country's best quarterback, Washington's Jake Locker. BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall will address the media this morning (10 a.m. MT) in his first Monday morning news conference of the season, and I'm sure he will be asked more about defending Locker. The coach also talked about Washington's other strengths on Saturday, including its rapid improvement under second-year coach Steve Sarkisian, the former Cougar. "I think they are improving. And I think that they have schemes that fit their personnel, and I think they have excellent coaching. And we are comfortable enough now, after studying their schemes in the summer, and learning about their personnel and our personnel, to where both of our plans are set, offensively and defensively, in relation to not only what they do, but what we do," Mendenhall said. "And so that has been the biggest holdup before we moved on to Washington, is trying to learn who we were at a little bit higher level. But we have a good idea who they are, and they are a good football team." More from Mendenhall: On how the Cougars did against Locker two years ago: "Not bad. I don't remember much of the game, other than the last drive. That just showed that when he had to make plays, and when he could create and do different things, he was capable. So I was impressed with him then. I think he's a better player now than he was a few years ago." On whether he trusts this year's BYU team:"Well, I trust who these kids are. They are going to have to play more for me to trust what they are capable of, and how they are going to demonstrate that on the field. Off the field, they have done a really nice job, with how they have handled camp, and how they are treating each other, and kind of their willingness to do what I ask them to do. So that part I trust them already. How they prepare and how they play in game situations, that will have to be demonstrated. My job right now is to try to help them do the best job they can, because they are new at it." On whether the Cougars can get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year:"I think so. I think we have a little bit more depth, and I think we have a little bit more athleticism, especially on our edges, and being able to substitute some young outside backers, and so you might see that on some third and long situations. And with an experienced secondary, that is always helpful. So the combination of all those things — again, it will be in relation to managing points. So if we can do it and be better on third down, that will be great. If that risks proves to be too great in relation to managing the overall game, you will see us pull back."