The No. 9 Cougars come home to LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday with a chip on their shoulders after last week's less-than impressive performance against Utah State.

BYU will have to play a more complete game through the finish to contain the Lobos and their power run game.

"I don't think they played well to the end," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said of his Cougars. "So overall it was still a significant win in a very unique and difficult environment, but in terms of meeting expectations our players know that didn't happen."

Expectations are high in Provo as the team chases a BCS bowl berth. A drop in the rankings after the victory in Logan should have no impact on Saturday's game. Any national accolades are not the primary concern of Mendenhall and his team, the head coach said.

The fourth-year BYU head coach has repeatedly stressed the importance of performing well at home and winning the conference. After back-to-back undefeated romps through Mountain West Conference play, the Cougars look to win their second conference game of the season.

Mendenhall's familiarity with New Mexico and its coach, Rocky Long, may prove beneficial in game preparation. The BYU coach spent five seasons in Albuquerque, N.M., as Long's defensive coordinator prior to coming to BYU. Mendenhall also spent time as defensive line coach at Oregon State under then-defensive coordinator Long.

"Coach Long always utilizes the best 11 players, so you will see a team that will play long, hard, fast and physical," Mendenhall said. "They won't quit."

The Lobos are coming off back-to-back wins, including a 24-0 victory last Saturday against Wyoming, and hope to stop BYU's nation-leading win streak at 15 games as well as a 17-game Mountain West winning streak.

The Lobos will have to contend with BYU's home crowd that should be out in full force Saturday as BYU is expecting a 10th consecutive sellout.

"When they're successful, they fill it up," Long said at a weekly press conference. "[The fans are] loud and supportive of the home team. It's a huge home field advantage for them."

Fans hope to witness the Cougars run their unbeaten streak to 16 games at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

New Mexico quarterback Brad Gruner will be making his third career start Saturday. Gruner has struggled in his first two starts, throwing 15 of 35 and 88 yards in both games.

But the Lobos will bring a strong defense and a productive running game to Provo. New Mexico, led by senior two-time all-MWC first team running back Rodney Ferguson, averages over 200 yards per game on the ground. Over the last two games, New Mexico has piled up 614 yards rushing.

"No arm tackles, he's not going to come down easy," BYU linebacker Shawn Doman said of Ferguson. "He's big and physical; we realize that, we're putting a lot of emphasis on that."

New Mexico's defense prepared a difficult day for BYU quarterback Max Hall the last time the teams met. Last season in Albuquerque, N.M., Hall completed only 18 of 40 passes and committed two turnovers.

"They are going to be tough," Hall said. "They are going to blitz, they're going to mix up coverages and they are very good at doing that. Coach Long does a very good job with that defense."

Hall's job will be made easier this week as he welcomes back one of his most reliable targets in receiver Michael Reed. The senior from Baytown, Texas, returns to the lineup after missing the team's last two games.

"I think we've seen the past few weeks the impact he has had on our program and I am anxious to have him back," Mendenhall said.

BYU's offensive production has slowed with the absence of Reed. Defenses have been able to focus more on tight end Dennis Pitta and team-leading receiver Austin Collie.

Along with Reed, linebacker David Nixon and defensive back Scott Johnson are also expected to play after receiving contusions against Utah State.

Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Oct 2008