BYU, Utah football: Battles within the battle

BYU'S LINEBACKERS: This is a key area in the Cougars' 3-4 defensive scheme. Senior outside 'backer David Nixon headlines this group with 77 tackles, a team-high 10.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, three interceptions, four pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. Nixon turned in perhaps the best overall performance of his career in the victory over San Diego State a couple of weeks ago with a career-high 14 tackles and an interception. BYU's defense counts on him not only for his play, but also his leadership.

Inside linebacker Matt Bauman leads the Cougars in tackles with 89.

He has added 8.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

The other outside linebacker, Shawn Doman, underwent an appendectomy last week but is expected to play this week. Doman has 51 tackles this season. His replacement against Air Force, backup Matt Ah You, played well in Doman's absence. At the other outside spot is Coleby Clawson, a transfer from Snow College. Clawson has 46 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss and four sacks. Key backups include freshmen Daniel Sorensen, who was sidelined last week with an ankle injury but is expected to be available this week, and Iona Pritchard.

BYU's linebackers aren't known for their speed and have had trouble with opposing players who are quick enough to get on the edge for big plays, as what happened in the loss to TCU and last week's win over Air Force, which executed reverses for huge gains.

— Jeff Call