From the shotgun: Quick takes from the MWC

BACK AT IT: Since conference play began, TCU and New Mexico have been in the same neighborhood.

But this Saturday, they'll both be moving.

The Horned Frogs and Lobos began occupying the same territory in the conference standings when both teams stumbled badly to open MWC play in Week 5. A little more than a month later, they've worked their way back into the championship area code.

Despite what happens tonight when league-leader BYU plays host to Wyoming, all five two-loss teams will still be alive for at least a share of the conference title entering Saturday.

And among those five, TCU and New Mexico appear to be playing the best football.

TCU's quick descent was the most startling. The preseason MWC favorite and then-17th-ranked Horned Frogs (6-2, 2-2) fell to 0-2 after consecutive losses to BYU and Utah. But a subsequent three-game win streak included a dominating 26-3 home victory over Wyoming, which at the time was coming off convincing wins over Utah and Colorado State.

Quarterback Jeff Ballard, who played hurt against both BYU and Utah, has revived a TCU offense that struggled in its two losses.

"When he's been healthy, we win ballgames and we've been able to move the football," TCU coach Gary Patterson said.

The Lobos (5-4, 3-2), picked to finish in the middle of the conference pack, pretty much dashed any preseason expectations after losing at home to I-AA Portland State to open the season. They also appeared to make a quick exit from the conference race, losing to Air Force and Wyoming.

But three straight wins and a quarterback change later, New Mexico has slowly elevated itself toward the top of the conference.

"I have a lot of resect for teams that do that," Patterson said. "You know, they get a down a couple of games in the loss department, and then they've come back and they've won three straight and they've come from behind in all three of them."

The comeback wins over UNLV, Utah and Colorado State were led by freshman quarterback Donovan Porterie, who is perfect as a starter since taking over for Chris Nelson.

New Mexico was off last week, and although coach Rocky Long said he "would've just as soon been playing" because of the momentum his team has established, his opponent is expecting to see something new out of the Lobos this week.