BYU football notebook: Cougars are staying the course

PROVO — After spending a week analyzing every aspect of the program, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said there are no major changes coming, despite the fact the Cougars' last game was a humbling 38-7 loss to TCU.

With the bye week over, the No. 25 Cougars are preparing for Saturday's game (noon, The mtn.) at Wyoming.

Mendenhall explained that "consistency is the hallmark" of the program. The Cougars have posted a 38-9 record since the start of the 2006 season.

"We're not going to change for the sake of change," Mendenhall said. "Nor are we going to change when we're having the success and as long as I feel like we're improving and moving forward, then I don't intend, really, any radical changes."

The coach added that he and his staff are constantly looking for ways to improve the program.

"We probably are more thorough in our analysis week-to-week than any program, certainly than I've been a part of and maybe more than any other. I don't think anyone can be harder on our program than myself. If I saw a need to change, I would. But until then, we'll just keep winning games and hopefully competing for conference championships and playing postseason."

Mendenhall added that while there will be no changes in the starting lineup this week, some backups could see more playing time. "Not because the starter's not playing well but to keep the pace of play and the effort at a little bit higher level," he said. "Instead of 60 plays, he might play 45 and somebody else might pick up the other 15."

Senior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen said his team is more confident after the bye week.

"After a game like TCU, you can get down on yourself after losing the way that we did. It was good to be in the film room and be able to see the things that are wrong are not that drastic. They're drastic enough for TCU to take advantage of them, but those are execution things here and there. If people do their job in that football game at critical points, that's a very different game. It's good for the players to be able to see that and to realize that we're not in as bad a shape as we thought we were and we're still a very good football team."

INJURY UPDATE: The Cougars are about as healthy as they've been all year, Mendenhall said. Wide receiver McKay Jacobson, who's been sidelined for four games due to a hamstring injury, is expected be back in the lineup Saturday.

NOVEMBER IN LARAMIE: Over the past decade, BYU has played in Laramie four times. Three of those games took place in November, just like Saturday's contest.

When the schedule comes out every year, that's one game Jorgensen said he and his teammates notice.

"We're always like, 'We hope it's not in November,'" Jorgensen said. "And it is. But I've been watching the weather forecast and it doesn't seem like it's supposed to be that bad."

Cougars on the air

BYU (6-2) at Wyoming (4-4)

Saturday, noon

TV: The mtn.

Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com