BYU football: Team providing mostly close contests for TV

"It's a late game, I don't know how that will affect (attendance)," Mendenhall said. "But I think we're gaining momentum and we're playing better football each week, and I think our fans support us. They're seeing exciting games and, with the exception of one week, games that are going right down to the very end. If they're interested in that, it would be a good one to show up for, I think."

There have been some other scheduling quirks in this first season of independence. The Cougars opened the campaign with long, back-to-back road trips to Ole Miss and to Texas. Saturday's contest marks BYU's fourth consecutive home game — the first time that's happened in 20 years, when the Cougars hosted Air Force, Utah State, UTEP and Hawaii in 1991.

Living on the edge

Of BYU's five games this season, four have been decided by a touchdown or less:

BYU 14, Ole Miss 13

Texas 17, BYU 16

BYU 24, Central Florida 17

BYU 27, Utah State 24

Cougars on the air

San Jose State (2-3) at BYU (3-2)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m.

LaVell Edwards Stadium

TV: ESPNU Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM

email: jeffc@desnews.com