THE EDGE

QUARTERBACKS: BYU's Kevin Feterik leads the WAC in pass efficiency (a 138.44 rating), but New Mexico has total offense leader Graham Leigh (263.3 yards per game). He was named 1997 Mountain Division Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Lobos to the WAC title game. EDGE: New Mexico

RUNNING BACKS: Ronney Jenkins paces BYU's ground game with 841 yards, while Lennox Gordon tops New Mexico with just 485. Both teams, however, rank among the bottom half of the WAC in terms of rushing offense. EDGE: BYU

RECEIVERS: Juniors Martinez Williams (40 catches, 661 yards) and Germany Thompson (37 catches, 564 yards) headline a receiving corps that has the Lobos topping the WAC in passing offense. Margin Hooks (32 catches, 571 yards) is the only BYU receiver joining the pair in the league's top eight yardage leaders. EDGE: New Mexico

LINES: If sacks allowed is any indictation, New Mexico's offensive front has 10 fewer than BYU. The Cougars, however, hold a distinct advantage on defense. BYU ranks seventh in the nation in total defense, while the Lobos are 65th. EDGE: BYU

LINEBACKERS: Lobo Brian Urlacher leads the WAC with 128 tackles, but BYU has reigning Pacific Division Defensive Player of the Week Rob Morris. He had 19 tackles against San Diego State last week. The Cougars have better overall depth with outside backers Brad Martin and Derik Stevenson. EDGE: BYU

DEFENSIVE BACKS: A knee laceration has New Mexico cornerback Marcus McDavid listed as questionable. He's second in the WAC with 12 passes broken up. The Cougars counter with conference interceptions leader Jason Walker and Brian Gray, who returned a pick for a score last week. EDGE: BYU

SPECIAL TEAMS: New Mexico's Dion Marlon and BYU's Mike Rigell are the top two kickoff returners in the WAC, with both averaging of more than 30 yards. Both teams have punters and kickers ranking in the league's top 10. EDGE: Even.

INTANGIBLES: New Mexico has never defeated BYU in Provo during the LaVell Edwards era. The Cougars are 12-0 during that time . . . This is BYU's final home game of the season . . . BYU controls its own destiny and can win the Pacific Division by running the table with victories over New Mexico, UTEP and Utah. EDGE: BYU

3 keys to a BYU victory