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SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The nation again is paying attention to Brigham Young. The Cougars have moved into the top 10 of the coaches poll for the first time since 1996 and will try to stay there on Saturday in a Mountain West Conference game against San Diego State. While other surprising teams such as Fresno State and Toledo suffered their first losses last weekend, BYU continues to enjoy its best start since winning the national title in 1984 with a 13-0 record. The Cougars (7-0, 3-0) have risen to 10th in the country behind the top scoring offense in the land. BYU is averaging 48.5 points per game after rolling to a 63-33 win over Air Force last week. Brandon Doman, who ranks fourth nationally in passing efficiency, threw four touchdown passes and the Cougars rolled up 611 total yards. First-year coach Gary Crowton has built a more balanced offense than predecessor LaVell Edwards. Luke Staley recorded his third 100-yard game of the season with 134 against the Falcons. Staley returned to the lineup after being held out of the previous game due to the university's concerns that his course load may have fallen below the NCAA minimum of 12 credits. Crowton also has made the tight end an important part of the offense with Doug Jolley catching 10 passes for 177 yards and three scores last week. San Diego State (2-5, 1-2) will be facing its fourth first-year coach of the season. The Aztecs already have lost to John Mackovic of Arizona, Dirk Koetter of Arizona State and Jim Tressel of Ohio State. San Diego State had a six-point halftime lead over Ohio State last week before committing five turnovers in a 27-12 loss to the Buckeyes. Larry Ned needs just 71 yards to become San Diego's first 1000-yard rusher since Jonas Lewis gained 1,021 in 1997. Ned needs 58 yards to reach 3,000 in his career and trails only Marshall Faulk (4,589) on the Aztecs' all-time list. San Diego snapped a five-game losing streak to BYU with a 16-15 win in Provo last year. BYU leads the series, 18-6-1.
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