By BOB MOEN
Associated Press Writer

CHEYENNE, Wyo.(AP) -- Despite beating Oklahoma and being ranked in
the Top 25 most of the season, Brigham Young coach Bronco
Mendenhall believes his team has yet to reach its potential.

"I would love to have this team reach their potential as any
team that I coach," Mendenhall said. "I'd like to see progress
and growth happen in all areas."

No. 25 BYU (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) faces an improved Wyoming
(4-4, 2-2) on Saturday in Laramie. The Cougars are coming off a
bye week and a disappointing 38-7 home loss to No. 6 TCU on Oct.
24.

Mendenhall talked to his team during the off week about
recommitting themselves for the remaining four games of the
season. It starts with the Cowboys, a team that's rebuilding
under first-year head coach Dave Christensen.

"I just asked them to acknowledge the time frame remaining with
the work to be done," Mendenhall said. "And they've responded
very well in terms of practice and just how they're supporting
each other and playing hard."

Defense is one area where Mendenhall believes his team can play
better.

The Cougars were gashed by TCU for 412 yards total offense,
including a 75-yard touchdown pass.

"And when you give up a one-play drive, whether it be in a pass
play or a long run, etc., those things change momentum very
quickly," Mendenhall said.

Mendenhall said he believes better execution and concentration
are the answer.

Against Wyoming, BYU faces a team that has improved under
Christensen and is playing with "grit and determination,"
Mendenhall said.

Wyoming's new no-huddle spread offense has been inconsistent
this season, scoring 30 versus UNLV and 37 against New Mexico
but being shut out against Air Force and Colorado.

Christensen recognizes that his offense struggles against good
defenses.

"We've obviously got to do a better job of moving the football
and scoring points offensively," he said.

Christensen is still trying to find the right players for his
scheme although he has settled on a starting quarterback in
Austyn Carta-Samuels. The true freshman has performed admirably
despite dropped balls from receivers, a sputtering running
attack and poor pass blocking.

"What we really need to do is we need to get the 10 guys in the
surrounding cast to perform at a higher level," Christensen
said.

However, thanks to a stingy veteran defense, Wyoming has proved
more competitive this year. Last week against No. 16 Utah, the
Cowboys led 10-9 midway through the fourth quarter at Salt Lake
City before losing 22-10.

"I think as a football program we've competed well in every
single game with the exception of maybe the second half of the
Texas game," Christensen said. The Cowboys led Texas 10-6 with
1:32 remaining in the first half but ended up losing 41-10
earlier this season.