Mendenhall prefers not being the center of attention.

"I'm not sure I've ever placed a lot of stock in being in the limelight. I'd rather not," he said. "It's one less distraction for our team as we continue to work and try to improve our football team.

"At the end of the season, we'll all know who's ranked where and who belongs where. Right now, our focus as a team is playing well against Air Force."

Said defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen: "I don't mind being under the radar. I don't mind being on top of the radar, too, because that's where everyone wants to be is, on top. Wherever we are, we're fine. We're happy to be there, happy to have an opportunity to win another conference title."

OVERRATED?: Over the weekend, a Colorado Springs Gazette columnist said BYU "might be the most overrated No. 17 team in American football history."

Asked to respond to that characterization of his team, Jorgensen said, "They'll find out Saturday if that's true or not."

Cougars on the air

No. 16 BYU (9-1, 5-1) at Air Force (8-2, 5-1)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Falcon Stadium

TV: CBS C

Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM

---

E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com