Week 4: Wyoming at BYU

Each team is coming off a non-conference victory, so who would you rather be: the team that beat North Dakota State on a field goal in the last four seconds or the team that crushed UCLA 59-0?

Good answer. The only consolation for Wyoming is that BYU cannot possibly be as motivated this week and the Cowboys cannot possibly make as many mistakes as UCLA did in the second quarter, when the Bruins repeatedly fumbled and the Cougars scored five touchdowns in roughly five minutes.

Having said that, Wyoming appears to have little chance of scoring enough to make this game interesting. The Cowboys have posted a total of 40 points in three home games, including last weekend's 16-13 defeat of NDSU, and not even 40 points in one game would necessarily get it done in Provo.

The Cougars pride themselves on methodical, patient scoring drives that mix the run and the pass, but they struck fast against UCLA as Max Hall threw six touchdown passes in the first half. BYU was tired of hearing about how Washington's celebration penalty supposedly decided the Cougars' 28-27 victory, and they took it out on the Bruins.

So the only issue this week is whether BYU can summon the same energy to open Mountain West Conference play. Even if not, the Cougars should not have any problem with Wyoming's offense.

And the game is on for BYU, nationally speaking. The Cougars are re-established as the top "non-BCS" team in the country, having moved back ahead of East Carolina in the polls. Their biggest test in the next month will be an Oct. 16 visit to TCU. Until then, they should have fun toying with Wyoming, Utah State and New Mexico.

Things to watch:

BYU's winning streaks cover 16 games (Mountain West), 14 games (home) and 13 games (overall).

The Cougars allowed only 9 net rushing yards against UCLA. They have been vulnerable against running quarterbacks this season, especially Washington's Jake Locker, but not against standard rushing attacks like Wyoming's.

Wyoming offensive coordinator Bob Cole was directing Utah State's offense in 2002 when the Aggies took a 34-7 halftime lead over BYU, but failed to score in the second half and lost 35-34.

Key Player (Cowboys) — Devin Moore, RB

He's their guy every week, until further notice. Moore gained 145 yards on 21 carries against North Dakota State and quarterback Dax Crum is not ready to play a big role in the offense. Wyoming's only hope is to possess the ball — and score a lot more than its 13.3-point average.

Key Player (Cougars) — Matt Bauman, LB

BYU's mission this week is so simple, it's frightening: The Cougars have to stop the run. If they do that, this game will be over early. Bauman is BYU's leading tackler with 26 stops in three games.

BYU by 31