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Provo • When BYU and Boise State were getting ready to play the first game of a scheduled 12-game college football series back in 2012, Cougars coach Bronco Mendenhall said it was "probably too much" and wondered aloud about the length of the deal.

Well, he's changed his tune, after losing 7-6 to the Broncos on the blue turf that year and then beating them 37-20 last year in Provo.

Mendenhall said Monday that he likes the series and that it "makes sense" as the Cougars (4-3) prepared for Friday's 7 p.m. MT game at Albertsons Stadium against the 5-2 Broncos.

"I was joking with [former BSU coach] Chris Petersen as soon as he signed the deal and left for Washington [that he wouldn't be playing BYU as much]," Mendenhall said. "I think it is good. It is a great regional matchup — two teams with high profiles, a lot of fan following. For us [as an independent], we are always looking to find good games, and over time, and teams that will come to Provo. … I think both schools jumped at the chance for a regional matchup."

New Boise State coach Bryan Harsin, who replaced Petersen, said during a Sunday teleconference with Utah media members that the series is "a good thing" and "makes sense" because of where the teams are located.

"From that standpoint, I think it is a great matchup for college football," said Harsin, an assistant at BSU for 10 seasons before becoming the co-offensive coordinator at Texas in 2011 and 2012. He was Arkansas State's head coach in 2013 before returning to his alma mater, where he played quarterback.

"BYU is a good team, so you are also getting a quality opponent for the next 12 years. That's really good. So that's obviously a challenge, it is difficult, you know it is going to be. But it makes sense, it really does. To have it locked in now is good. Things always change, but at least you have a locked in nonconference game that is a good one."

Boise State leads the all-time series 3-1, having defeated BYU 50-12 in Provo in 2003 and 28-27 in Boise in 2004 before the current series was scheduled.

Bills, Williams should play

The Cougars are still a battered football team, having lost quarterback Taysom Hill (fractured leg), cornerback Jordan Johnson (fractured arm) and lineman Brock Stringham (shoulder) for the season. But some injured players who missed the Nevada game should be back this week, including safety Craig Bills (concussion), offensive lineman Brayden Kearsley (ankle) and running back Jamaal Williams (sprained ankle).

"I feel good," Bills said Tuesday. "I haven't had symptoms from the concussion since the Saturday after the UCF game. "I am planning on playing this week. I am cleared, so I am excited."

Offensive coordinator Robert Anae said Williams, who suffered a sprained ankle against Utah State and played just one series against UCF and not at all against Nevada, is expected to play.

"We hope to get Jamaal back this week and have him do what he can do," Anae said, noting that there's no plan to move a player from another position to running back, such as Mike Alisa.

Still questionable

Conversely, several players are still questionable for Friday's game, including linebacker Alani Fua and receiver Devon Blackmon, who sprained an ankle in practice last week.

"I am not practiing or anything yet," Fua said Tuesday. "I tried running today, and it was hurting too much, so I will still be in the training room. … I mean, I want to [play]. That's the plan. Once Friday comes around, I will see how I am feeling." —

BYU at Boise State

O Friday, 7 p.m.

TV • ESPN