Suddenly, BYU has played itself into - while others have played themselves out of - the WAC title picture.
Hawaii still has the best shot at the championship, with a 5-1 conference record. But the Rainbow Warriors have to play San Diego State next Saturday in San Diego, then host Wyoming the following week.If Hawaii loses either game, then as many as three teams could tie for the conference title with two losses - Hawaii, BYU and either San Diego State or Fresno State (but not both of the latter, because they play each other in three weeks).
Got that?
All this really means for the Cougars (6-4, 4-2 WAC) is that they - pardon the cliche - control their own destiny. If they win their remaining games - both on the road - against Air Force and Utah, they will put themselves in position to tie for the title, if Hawaii stumbles. A Holiday Bowl berth is still a scant possibility for the Cougs, because BYU loses tiebreaker matchups with San Diego State and Hawaii, but a share of the title would be a major accomplishment for a team that started the season 1-3.
On the field, meanwhile, BYU is starting to like this defense business. In the 35-0 mastery of New Mexico on Saturday, it was the defense that starred; the offense was relegated to a supporting role.
BYU is usually high on the NCAA total offense list, but get this: Statistics released Sunday show the Cougars' rushing defense at No. 37 in the country.
The new BYU, the one that has won five of six games, losing only to Notre Dame, is also starting to get some national recognition. They are hovering just out of the Associated Press Top 25, at No. 28, and are 32ndin the CNN/USA Today poll.
Now, of course, the Cougars move into the home stretch of their season, against two always-fired-up (for them) teams. And Air Force is ranked just ahead of BYU at No. 31 in the CNN/USA Today poll.
"One thing about Air Force, they always play hard," said BYU center Garry Pay.
"I know we're not going to be talking shutout against them," said Cougar linebacker Todd Herget.
If there was anything in Saturday's game to cause concern, it is BYU's continuing tendency to turn the ball over. Kalin Hall and Jamal Willis each fumbled once, and Ryan Hancock threw two interceptions, although one was a tipped ball.
They can get away with that against New Mexico, but how about disciplined Air Force, which is annually one of the best teams in the WAC in turnover margin?
New Mexico coach Dennis Franchione figured that his team would be able to stay in the game against BYU only if the Cougs committed turnovers, but obviously, he had underestimated the Y. defense.
"We came out and dominated them," said Cougar noseguard Lenny Gomes. "When we play at our level, New Mexico's not going to beat us."