BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall has the task of the quick turnaround -- preparing his team for a game Saturday, plus another next Thursday.

First preparing for New Mexico, then putting sights on TCU, puts the Cougars in a position where they can actually prepare for two games at one time.

Mendenhall said Monday that it could be an advantage to have those opponents linked back-to-back. He points out both teams emphasize their running game.

But it's defense where each makes its mark, and both "apply a great amount of pressure with good team speed, relying on man coverage," said the fourth-year head coach, who used to be an assistant for Rocky Long at UNM.

Some sort of consistency would be welcome to the Cougars, who in general were not pleased with their performance last Friday at Utah State, a 34-14 win in which they gave up the final two touchdowns and had two quarters (second and fourth) in which they failed to score points.

It was, in some ways, an eyebrow-arching performance by the country's ninth-ranked team (it dropped a spot in the updated Associated Press poll, just like the coaches version). Even quarterback Max Hall said he was pleased to be responsible for a couple of turnovers.

"This might sound weird, but it felt good to throw a couple of interceptions," Hall said, pointing out that the gaffes helped humble him to realize the amount of improvement that remains.

Mostly, the Cougars (5-0) are happy to be in what Mendenhall calls "the heart of our schedule," with seven games against MWC teams left.

"I don't know if it's more focus, but I think it's more excitement. It's a little more territorial," offensive lineman Travis Bright said.

Mendenhall thought his team gained clearer identity, and health, during the bye week. But he said that momentum didn't carry clearly through the USU game.

"Far from it, when you consider measuring against our potential and our capability," he said. "I don't think we executed, especially offensively from beginning to end, like we are capable of."

Hall was whacked a few times last year by the heavy-blitzing UNM defense. He tends to thrive on the contact, and believes the BYU offense -- which missed on several scoring opportunities in Logan -- will find a groove.

"There's potential for us to have a big game," Hall said. "They're going to be tough, they're going to blitz, they're going to mix up coverages. They're very good at doing that. Coach Long does a very good job with that defense, but I'm very excited to play them."

• Injury report: Mendenhall said defensive back Scott Johnson and linebacker David Nixon should be good to go Saturday. Both left the USU game early with what turned out to be bruises. Nixon's injury was a particularly scary one, as he was on the ground early in the fourth quarter, having Mendenhall quickly contemplating a unit-defining injury.

Nixon said he sprained an ankle for the first time in his life and also has a shin bruise. Receiver Spencer Hafoka, injured early against Wyoming on Sept. 20, should also be back along with fellow pass catcher, Michael Reed, who practiced Monday after being hurt late in the Sept. 13 contest with UCLA. A torn meniscus required surgery, and he appears to be ahead of schedule in rehabilitation.

Linebackers Grant Nelson and Terrance Hooks have been practicing with the team, but Mendenhall said their appearances shouldn't be expected until TCU on Oct. 16.

• Just being honest: Bright was asked Monday about the offensive line still not being called for holding: "(Referees) haven't called one, but you'd be dumb to think there isn't anyone holding. We just pretty well aren't getting caught."

In his unit's defense, he did say footwork and the way the linemen have used their hands has been very good.