Bronco unfazed by poll

HENDERSON, Nev. — BYU can make a case for repeating as Mountain West Conference champion just as well as TCU can sell its role as preseason favorite.

Why?

Coach Bronco Mendenhall is convinced his program has reached the point where he is plugging replacements into a successful, proven system, one based on execution rather than the ebb-and-flow of talent.

That the defending champions were picked to finish second to the Frogs in the MWC preseason poll last week doesn't register with Mendenhall.

"I don't acknowledge it either way, other than it might make it interesting to talk about for a day and a half," he said. "It doesn't matter if we're picked second, nor does it provide any other motivation. I don't think it's ever been right, and all that matters for me and our team is what we think we are capable of — defending a championship."

Said Mendenhall: "The season will play itself out and determine who wins."

After a 6-6 first year under Mendenhall in 2005, the Cougars posted an 11-2 mark in 2006. That included going undefeated in league play at home and winning the 2006 title by a two-game margin. That "system" resulted in the most dominating home victory margin nationally, just ahead of LSU. For the second year, BYU held turnovers to a school-record low while chipping out the nation's second-longest active win streak (10 games).

The MWC's two top contenders, TCU and Utah, come to Provo this fall.

While Mendenhall said farewell to second-round NFL draft pick John Beck, tight end Jonny Harline and running back Curtis Brown, he returns enough firepower to surround new quarterback Max Hall with a solid foundation, including the best offensive line depth in the conference.

Other than the departure of middle linebacker Cameron Jensen, the biggest question mark on defense is replacing cornerback Justin Robinson.

A prime example of how Mendenhall's system operates might be in the Cougars' lopsided Las Vegas Bowl win over Oregon. Mendenhall started senior Cole Miyahira at corner, a player with zero corner experience. Miyahira went up against one of the Pac-10's top offenses and had a solid game.