MWC pushes two teams into Top 25

The new league, formed when eight Western Athletic Conference members bolted to renew old rivalries, opens Thursday night as No. 23 Colorado State (2-0) visits No. 25 Brigham Young (1-0).

"We've had opportunities to set the stage over the last nine months, but until teams win some games and make it significant, i.e., two Top 25 teams, things don't fall into place," Thompson said.

"I think it's doubly thrilling to have a game of this magnitude in what is only our third week of existence," he said.

So does Brigham Young coach LaVell Edwards, who hasn't held back on pregame hype.

"I told the players the other day there's no question this will be one of the biggest games of the year for us," Edwards said. "We will have no problem with our players understanding Colorado State is a very good football team."

The eight Mountain West schools -Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, UNLV, San Diego State, Utah and Wyoming - announced plans to leave the WAC in June 1998.

The move stemmed from convoluted scheduling when the WAC grew to 16 teams, diminishing traditional rivalries. Many MWC schools were charter members of the WAC and its predecessor, the Skyline Conference.

In its first event, the Mountain West is restoring the old order with a meeting of league heavyweights.

"We're thrilled, but we didn't plan it that way," Thompson said.

BYU and Colorado State haven't played since 1995 because of the divisional system in the 16-member WAC. But before that, the winner of the last three games in the BYU-CSU series won the league title.

"It's going to be a heck of a ball game," Edwards said. "I love to see Colorado State coming to town, playing well and playing hard like they always do."

Rams coach Sonny Lubick expressed concern about traveling for a Thursday game. Colorado State had a short week to prepare after Saturday's 38-33 victory over Nevada.

Then there's running back Kevin McDougal, who had 190 yards and two touchdowns in Colorado State's 41-14 win over Colorado. After gaining 147 yards against Nevada, he strained a leg muscle in the fourth quarter.

"It's going to be a tough decision on his part and the doctor's part," Lubick said. "We've got to make sure he's healthy so we don't lose him for a longer time. We're not going to know until game time."

That could leave the rushing to freshman Rahsaan Sanders. On defense, linebacker Ula Tuitele is out with torn knee cartilage. In his place the Rams will shuttle freshmen David Vickers and Josh Steward.

They'll face BYU senior quarterback Kevin Feterik and a passing attack that racked up 501 yards in the Cougars' 35-28 come-from-behind victory over Washington last week.

Feterik threw for three touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 38-yard pass to freshman Chris Hale with 1:16 remaining.

09-16-99