LOCAL CSTV TALENT: Former Oakland Raider tight end Todd Christensen, who played for BYU in the '70s, will be the color commentator for CSTV's college football broadcasts that will regionally center on the Mountain West through the mtn. network to be launched in 54 days. Christensen, a resident of Alpine, will join former Florida All-American James Bates, who will be the lead play-by-play announcer.

PRESEASON TEAM: Although every team in the league placed someone on the preseason all-conference squad, four (Air Force, New Mexico, San Diego State and Wyoming) had just one. BYU, TCU and Utah led the way with five apiece. Colorado State and UNLV placed four and three, respectively. Eleven honorees were all-MWC honorees in 2005.

GOING 11-1: Texas Christian coach Gary Patterson said the ability for a team to go 11-1 is not a normal occurrence in the days of 85 scholarships and he knows it would be hard for his own squad to repeat that performance in 2006 with a schedule that includes Baylor and Texas Tech. "It takes some luck, like we had in two overtime games and a third game with San Diego State that came down to a couple of plays. But it does take chemistry among players and a desire and understanding of what it takes day by day to win those games. Fortunately, our young men had that a year ago, and we hope they continue to work toward that this year."

MENDENHALL UPDATES: BYU expects all its junior college recruits and transfers to be eligible and ready for two-a-days within a week of the reporting date, including cornerback Andre Salisbury from Riverside Community College and Arizona State transfer Max Hall. "I expect those who have to have AA degrees to be cleared, that's the latest word I've received," Mendenhall said. Hall was on the practice field for voluntary workouts in Provo on Monday.

Mendenhall said he envisions the day he will lose an entire recruiting class for two-year LDS missions. Already, 21 of 25 recruits from the class of 2006 have indicated they will serve missions within a year. Corner Kayle Buchanan (shoulder) is at least two weeks behind his rehabilitation and may start fall camp either sitting out or wearing a yellow (non-contact) jersey. David Tafuna is also expected to miss some time due to an unspecified injury.

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Contributing: Dick Harmon