Bowl eligibility will be on the line when the Lobos take on Brigham Young tomorrow in Provo, Utah.
Head coach Rocky Long is meeting a familiar face in the matchup. If fans recognize BYU's defensive scheme, it is because Cougars' defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall coached under Long from 1998-2002 and understands the UNM strategy.
UNM and BYU are both 5-4 this season with two games of conference play remaining. BYU is 4-1 in conference play, sitting second in the MWC - one win ahead of the third-place Lobos. Both teams are riding a three-game winning streak.
The Lobos are coming off a bye week, giving the team extra time to prep for Provo. UNM has won every game after a scheduled break since 1996, a 10-game winning streak that the Lobos look to extend.
Long said it was good for the players to have a bye week. The break was a combination of hard work and rest. Long said he does not think the break has altered the team, but it has helped the players.
"I don't think anything has changed," Long said. "We're still limping around a little, but I assume that the players will be fresher and feel better about themselves."
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The Lobos face a cohesive BYU team. Pro scouts say the Cougars have the best physical talent in the league and more NFL draft prospects than undefeated Utah.
Quarterback John Beck continues to improve as the season progresses. Long said Beck might have the quickest release in the league, better than any quarterback UNM has faced this season.
Beck is executing an explosive passing game during the Cougars' winning streak, completing 45 passes for 771 yards and seven touchdowns in the past three games.
As opponents focus on the BYU pass offense, Beck pitches to running back Curtis Brown to rush through unsuspecting defenses. Brown rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past four games.
The Cougars can intimidate on defense, as well. This season the BYU defensive line averages 6-foot-4 and 293 pounds. Their defense excels in stopping the rush, but is ranked last in the MWC for pass defense.
The Lobos have the best rush defense in the league and rely heavily on cornerbacks who play one-on-one with receivers down field. Long said the Lobos will not change their defensive strategy for this game.
"Our guys understand our defense," Long said. "We have a lot better chance if we let our guys play our style of defense than we do if we change our style because of what they have."
UNM linebacker Mike Mohoric said the Lobo defense needs to be alert and ready for BYU.
"They run an extremely balanced offense, so we need to be ready for anything," Mohoric said.
Offensive tackle Claude Terrell said the team will approach the last two games of conference play knowing the stakes.
"The feeling on the team is that if we win these next two games, then we put ourselves in postseason play," he said. "We don't want to have to rely on anyone to decide the future outcome of the season."
