Colorado State and BYU Seek Some Good News

Brigham Young and Colorado State could be playing one of the most important games of the season, and it’s only early October.

Whoever loses tonight’s game at Provo, Utah, will have two losses in the Mountain West Conference and a long way to fight back to contend for the conference title.

“I don’t think either one of us wants to get behind by two losses in the conference,” BYU fullback Naufahu Tahi said.

“I think that every game we play from now on has got to be a win. I think we’re capable of doing that.”

BYU (3-3, 2-1 in the Mountain West) and Colorado State (3-3, 0-1) ended two-game losing streaks last weekend.

BYU’s offense finally broke out in a 44-36 victory at San Diego State, while Colorado State ended its nonconference schedule with a 34-10 victory over Fresno State.

The .500 starts midway through the season are disappointing to two teams that have won the last two conference titles.

Air Force (2-0) and Utah (1-0) are the only conference teams without a league loss. Most coaches have said the conference champion probably won’t make it through league play without a loss.

But two losses, especially this early, would be difficult to overcome.

*

Kentucky and South Carolina had a week off to improve technique, heal their injuries and reflect on what might have been.

The Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 in the Southeastern Conference) take on the Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2) tonight at Columbia, S.C. Both could have come in on major highs from their last games. Instead, both will try and jump start their seasons after disappointing losses.

Kentucky faded in the fourth quarter of a 24-21 loss to Florida on Sept. 27.

Despite outplaying Tennessee, South Carolina lost, 23-20, in overtime two weeks ago.