Rams should provide character check for after FSU embarrassment

Today couldn't come soon enough for BYU's defense. It's a day that group, so impressive against Oklahoma and Tulane, gets a chance to redeem itself for last Saturday's embarrassing performance against Florida State.

They preach character down in Provo? Well, here's a quarter in the slot, let's see how that stuff works.

In facing 3-0 Colorado State, the Cougars' front seven will encounter what Ram marketing folks call the most experienced offensive line in all of college football.

These Ram veterans will have seen three game films on the Cougars and, like Florida State, will be given a chance to understand alignment, blitz calls, keys, strengths and weaknesses. A veteran Ram staff will certainly have CSU prepared to answer what BYU does defensively, at least on paper, prior to kickoff.

Today we'll learn if BYU defenders simply had a letdown after two wins, were manhandled by Seminole supermen, or were schematically challenged last Saturday.

What we do know is BYU's defense was humiliated last week. Now, what are they going to do about it? A year ago, a younger, more inexperienced Ram offense threw gadget plays at the Cougars, made big plays all night, and took BYU right to the wire in Fort Collins, Colo.

Interestingly enough, that was the second-straight game in which a reeling BYU team struggled after losing a huge, bubble-bursting setback at TCU.

You might remember after that gut-punch loss to the Frogs in Fort Worth, the Cougars, who started the season 6-0, barely beat UNLV at home 45-35. They needed miracle drives at CSU to win 45-42.

Just how did that loss to Florida State affect Bronco Mendenhall's 2009 team? Today, we'll find out. Cougar players declare this post-loss team is nothing like the one a year ago that nearly had their life force extinguished in Texas.

We'll also find out how good CSU is today. Their undefeated streak, now six straight games dating back to last season, includes a win at Colorado and home victories over Weber State and Nevada. The Rams are one of 13 teams without a fumble this season and rank No. 3 in the NCAA in turnovers gained.

In other MWC action, the Utes get a great chance to get back on track without risking their league record when Louisville of the Big East visits Rice-Eccles Stadium. The other BCS game that could help the MWC is TCU's visit to Clemson.

This week's picks, presented after going 0-2 with Utah and BYU last week: