Las Vegas » Most football teams say they enjoy the underdog role. The BYU Cougars aren't one of them.
In the final press conference before Saturday's Las Vegas Bowl (6 p.m. MT, ESPN), a theme that emerged was how the No. 17 Cougars (10-2) could be three-point underdogs, despite being ranked and having a better record than 7-5 Arizona. The topic seems especially significant to the Arizona media.
The Cougars insist that they pay no attention to matters like that, and most said they only learned a day or two ago that Arizona was a three-point favorite.
"I wasn't aware I think until one of you mentioned it to me yesterday that we were the underdogs," coach Bronco Mendenhall told reporters. "Anyone that knows me or my team knows that we don't acknowledge what anyone says. I know who we are and what direction we are going. To put value on [underdog status] would mean that I put value on what anyone else [outside the program] says, which I don't."
Arizona linebacker Ronnie Palmer said neither team should be favored.
"We have played some hard teams very well, and BYU has done the same. I guess we are 1-1 against each other, so it seems like it should be pretty equal odds, who is going to win."
BYU linebacker David Nixon said it is not in the team's nature to worry about slights, real or imagined.
"I think that is one of the best qualities of our team," he said. "We are a very mature team. We just go about our business and don't let too much bother us, because there are always those who want to beat down or ridicule your program. We know our potential. We know what's at stake."
Two years ago, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti riled up BYU fans by claiming the Cougars would not fare well in the Pac-10. Arizona coach Mike Stoops was asked about that Friday, and he said he believes BYU, Utah and TCU are all BCS-worthy programs that could compete in the Pac-10 week in and week out.
Not a sellout
Although Las Vegas Bowl officials sold their allotment of tickets to the general public weeks ago, Saturday's game at Sam Boyd Stadium is not a true sellout.
BYU sports information director Duff Tittle said the Cougars have about 1,000 tickets still available from their allotment of 12,000. It is the first time in four years that BYU will not sell all of its tickets.
Arizona sports information director Tom Duddleston said the Wildcats had sold "close to 10,000" tickets by Wednesday and more than 2,000 remained.
Tittle said he believes several factors have contributed to BYU's lowest ticket sales ever at the Las Vegas Bowl and acknowledged that perhaps some Cougar fans are just tired of going to the same bowl every year. Other factors include the cold weather expected for the game, the school having one less week to sell tickets, and an announcement from Vegas Bowl officials six weeks ago that the bowl was sold out, thereby confusing some fans who didn't know they could get them through the school.
Thursday, the bowl announced that fans can purchase tickets -- presumably the ones turned back by the schools -- for $15 apiece beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. The tickets the schools sold all went for $50.
Not contacted
News that Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is leaving for a similar position at Kansas State has caused some to wonder if Utah coach Kyle Whittingham would try to pluck a coach from BYU's staff to fill that position, because the former BYU player has done it in the past.
BYU quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman is perhaps someone the Utes might be interested in, but Mendenhall said he has not been contacted by Utah regarding any of his assistant coaches.
"It is only a matter of time [before some of his assistants leave]," he said. "I don't spend too much time dwelling on it, but I do keep a list, or a file, of prospective coaches that I do think would be great fits at BYU."
Injury update
Mendenhall said the Cougars are healthy and as eager to play Satuday as they have been in their three previous Las Vegas Bowl appearances. He said tight end Dennis Pitta set back his recovery from an MCL sprain by playing against Utah, and is only a little bit better now than he was Nov. 22.
Pitta told the coach he was 80 percent prior to the Utah game, and Mendenhall said Pitta is now "maybe 83 percent, for lack of a better guess."
Pitta has practiced with the same bulky brace he wore in the Utah game, but is expected to wear a lighter, sleeker brace in the Las Vegas Bowl.
