BYU football gameday

No. 18 BYU (5-1) at San Diego St. (2-3)

About 74 degrees and sunny at kickoff.

Today, 4 p.m. ? Qualcomm Stadium

Grass ? San Diego

TV: mtn. ? Radio: 1160AM, 102.7 FM

THE STAKES

For BYU ... The Cougars are looking to build on the momentum they established last week in a big win over UNLV. That's important because next week BYU has a crucial, much-anticipated game at home against nationally ranked TCU.

For SDSU ... The Aztecs are starting over with a new coaching staff, led by Brady Hoke. Today, they get to measure themselves against one of the Mountain West Conference's "Big Three."

THE TRENDS

For BYU ... The Cougars have won three straight against San Diego State and lead the overall series, 25-7-1.

For SDSU ... The Aztecs have lost 20 straight games to nationally ranked opponents, dating back to 1997.

THE EDGE

BYU will win if ... it avoids turnovers and can be balanced offensively with the pass and run.

SDSU will win if ... it keeps the ball away from BYU by forcing turnovers and its defense can get big plays out of star wide receiver Vincent Brown.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Max Hall, BYU QB: Hall played his cleanest game of the season last week against UNLV and for the first time all season didn't throw an interception. Can he keep it up today against San Diego State?

KEY MATCHUP

BYU's secondary vs. SDSU receiver Vincent Brown: The Cougars gave up a 75-yard touchdown pass last week at UNLV, and Brown is one of the best in the country — No. 3 nationally in receiving yards per game (126.2).

INJURY REPORT

BYU: Safety Scott Johnson (ankle) and running back Manase Tonga (knee) will be game-time decisions. Defensive lineman Russell Tialavea (knee) did not make the trip to San Diego.

SDSU: Running back Brandon Sullivan (knee) is listed as probable.

NEXT UP

BYU returns home with a huge contest Saturday (5:30 p.m., Versus) against TCU. San Diego State visits Colorado State.

SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time (TV)

Sept. 5 vs. Oklahoma W, 14-13

Sept. 12 at Tulane W, 54-3

Sept. 19 Florida St. L, 54-28

Sept. 26 Colorado St. W, 42-23

Oct. 2 Utah St. W, 35-17

Oct. 10 at UNLV W, 59-21

Oct. 17 at San Diego St. 4 p.m. (mtn.)

Oct. 24 TCU 5:30 p.m. (VS)

Nov. 7 at Wyoming Noon (mtn.)

Nov. 14 at New Mexico Noon (mtn.)

Nov. 21 Air Force 1:30 p.m. (CBS C)

Nov. 28 Utah 3 p.m. (CBS C, mtn.)