Back ranked once more

It could be a good thing or a bad thing, this ranking deal.

BYU climbed back into the national rankings at No. 25 in the USA Today coaches poll. This came despite losing to San Diego State on the road.

What it does is show that BYU’s 10-2 run through the Mountain West has impressed enough voters to forgive the setback at SDSU. Many of these voters are likely from the region and understand what is going on in the league race. What this will do is keep the Cougars afloat with the NCAA selection committee who will determine seedings after the MWC tournament. It ultimately is a sign of respect.

What it will also do is draw a target on the back of BYU player uniforms as they head into another emotional game at The Pit at UNM Tuesday night. You saw first hand what emotion did for the Aztecs in Cox Arena Saturday night. Lorrenzo Wade went career on the Cougars and other made inspired plays trying to make up for a loss in Provo many believed should have gone the other way.

UNM also has something to prove. They got spanked pretty good in Provo, almost run out of the gym. In The Pit, they love hosting ranked opponents and there is no other team in the league that draws more emotion from opponents in Albuquerque than the Cougars.

Still, BYU has fared pretty well in The Pit, winning the last two games there 70-49 and 77-71. BYU has won five straight over the Lobos, perhaps a good sign for the Cougars, but more firewood for the Lobo furnace.

There are some teams the Cougars seem to match up well against over the years and UNM is one of them. SDSU is not.