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Utah running back Eric Weddle helped the Utes beat the San Diego State Aztecs this past weekend. On Saturday, the Utes face No. 22 Boise State with a chance to gain some national recognition.

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It is the definition of a grudge match.

Tempers are flaring this week as Brigham Young (2-2) prepares to visit No. 17 TCU (3-0) on Thursday night in Fort Worth.

It's the Cougars' big chance to avenge a 51-50 controversial overtime home loss to the Horned Frogs last season.

BYU coaches and fans insisted last season that TCU's game-winning touchdown should have been ruled a fumble. The play was upheld on instant replay and cleared the way for the Horned Frogs undefeated run through the Mountain West Conference last season.

TCU coach Gary Patterson, whose team is riding the nation's longest winning streak at 13, said his players have as much to prove as the ousted Cougars.

"All I heard is we won because of one play," Patterson said. "The last time I looked, there were 51 points scored."

The Cougars are taking a tougher path to the rematch.

TCU is coming off a bye week.

BYU earned a 38-0 home win over Utah State on Saturday and has less time to prepare for the Horned Frogs.

Cougars senior quarterback John Beck is still battling an ankle injury and is wearing a boot this week. He is being shuttled to classes in a golf cart in an effort to keep pressure off the foot until game time.

No. 22 Boise State (4-0) at Utah (3-1)

Could the Mountain West Conference squeeze two teams into the Top 25?

It's a longshot, but the host Utes certainly could turn some heads with a win over No. 22 Boise State on Saturday.

Utah is riding a three-game winning streak thanks to the heroics of defensive back Eric Weddle, who ran for a 2-yard touchdown on a direct snap and intercepted three passes against San Diego State. He returned two of those picks for 30 yards and was a menace on defense.

Weddle earned Walter Camp national defensive player of the week honors and heaps of praise from conference coaches for his performance.

Wyoming (1-3) at Syracuse (2-2)

The schedule doesn't get easier for the Cowboys, who have losses in overtime at Virginia and at home to Boise State and Air Force.

Cowboys coach Joe Glenn said he was tearing his hair out during the Air Force game last week. The Falcons' offense held the ball for more than 40 minutes, slowly strangling his team and wrestling away a seven-point win.

Syracuse, which probably looked like a delectable cupcake when Wyoming added it to the schedule, is off to its best start in years and could pose big problems for the Cowboys.

Nevada (2-2) at UNLV (1-2)

It's rivalry week in Nevada, but no one in the state can watch it on television.

The Wolfpack will visit the Rebels in a contest being broadcast on the Mountain.

The only problem with airing the big game on the new network is the Mountain still isn't available via Cox Cable, Nevada's main cable provider.

So, anyone in the state eager to see the game will have to buy a ticket and grab a seat at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Colorado State (2-1) at Fresno State (1-2)

The Rams, who hold hold wins over slumping Colorado and Division I-AA Weber State, fell last week to Nevada and would get a big boost out of beating a team with a strong reputation.

The Bulldogs have been Top 25 contenders but have tumbled this season.

A win would be a much-needed stepping stone for both teams.

San Diego State (0-3) at San Jose State (2-1)

The Aztecs can't seem to get out of the twilight zone.

San Diego State always has a talent-rich roster that scares a lot of teams but struggles for wins. The Aztecs get another shot this week at San Jose State.

Conference Chatter, which includes news and information about Mountain West Conference schools, appears Wednesdays in The Tribune.