November, simply put, has been very, very good to BYU over the years. The Cougars own a 79-16-1 record in the 11th month over LaVell Edwards' first 26 seasons as head coach. Success has come frequently. BYU went without a loss in 15 Novembers, dropped just one in seven others, and two on three occassions.

In 1997, however, the Cougars went 1-3 - suffering just their second losing November under Edwards.It was a downer, said the coach, something the Cougars have addressed.

"This year, we should give a real good run at it," Edwards promises.

An appearance in the final WAC Championship Game may depend on it. BYU can earn the trip to Las Vegas with season-ending victories over New Mexico, UTEP and Utah - the very same teams that ended such hopes with November victories over the Cougars a year ago.

Revenge, for obvious reasons, is a primary motivator as BYU begins its quest for redemption today at Cougar Stadium against New Mexico.

Kickoff is set for noon.

"I hope they're going to be motivated to play. I think they will," Edwards said. "We're in the chase for the championship now as we get down into November. That's really what it's all about, and that's where we're at. Hopefully, we can get down and do something about it."

After last week's 13-0 victory over San Diego State, several Cougars were looking ahead to New Mexico, UTEP and Utah. Cornerback Brian Gray, who scored the game's lone touchdown when he returned an interception 39 yards for a score, acknowledged the presence of the revenge factor. As a newcomer to the program, he's heard all about BYU's 38-28 loss in Albuquerque that ultimately cost the Cougars a chance to defend their WAC championship.

Gray, like his teammates, is confident a payback can be issued.

"If we keep playing the way we are defensively," he said. "We'll be fine."

The Cougars enter their final home game ranked seventh nationally in total defense. In addition, BYU leads the WAC in defending both the run and the pass. New Mexico, however, counters with the conference's top passing offense.

"It'll come down to who steps up first - our defense or their offense," Gray said. "It's a game where we're going to be tested."

Though the Lobos have fallen from being division champions in 1997 to a 3-6 team this year, Edwards knows New Mexico is explosive.

"Any time you've got Graham Leigh, you've got the po-ten-tial to rack-up some points," he said.

Last season's Mountain Division Offensive Player of the Year has struggled with new coach Rocky Long's West Coast attack but enters Saturday's game as the WAC's total offense leader.