Edwards: WAC title is first

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

LaVell Edwards won't allow himself to get caught in the trap of looking ahead. Never has. Never will.

So while the dollar signs of a bowl alliance bid circle Provo like buzzards over a coyote's carcass in the desert, Brigham Young's timeless leader refuses to look up at the sky. His eyes are squarely focused on Saturday's date with Wyoming in the inaugural Western Athletic Conference championship game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

BYU's fans may be seeing green. Edwards sees brown.

"We can't worry about anything beyond this week," he said Monday.

If the sixth-ranked Cougars beat the No. 20 Cowboys, BYU likely locks up a spot in the alliance and a New Year's Day date at the Fiesta Bowl. And that means approximately $8 million to the school and conference.

But as Edwards points out, there's some unfinished business before all those WAC athletic business managers can get their hands on the new-found loot.

"I haven't given it any more thought than I did a week ago," he said of the possibility of BYU getting a coveted spot in the alliance. "I told the players that something good can come of it if we run the table, so to speak."

And whether the Las Vegas analogy was a Freudian slip or an intentional pun, Edwards' point is clear. Without a win Saturday, there is no big payday and BYU would go back to Utah like so many millions of visitors here do -- considerably poorer than when they arrived.

The 12-1 Cougars are a hefty 10 1/2-point favorite to beat 10-1 Wyoming, which has had a heated rivalry over the years with BYU. But with the WAC's expansion to 16 teams and two divisions, the schools didn't meet in the regular season for just the second time in 62 years.

"Wyoming is one of the great rivalries," Edwards said. "We've had some great games with them and it'll be interesting playing them at a neutral site."

Wyoming coach Joe Tiller is glad to see it come about, even with so much at stake.

"We talk about the rivalry and that's a huge incentive for our kids," he said. "We always look forward to playing BYU. It's a big game for our program and for our fans. And while it was disappointing to not play in the regular season, playing them under these circumstances makes it extra special."

The Cougars last played in Las Vegas in 1980 when Edwards' team ripped UNLV 54-14. More than 31,000 fans, a record crowd at the time, filled the Silver Bowl to watch BYU. With a capacity crowd of 40,000 expected, most of Saturday's spectators will be pulling for the Cougars, as more than 12,000 tickets have been purchased by BYU fans.

"It's been awhile since we played in Las Vegas but I know it's going to be a great atmosphere in a great setting," said Edwards, who has been celebrating his silver anniversary season in Provo. "I was watching all the promotional spots on ABC last Saturday and they're really hyping this game up."

At the same time, Edwards is making sure his players don't buy into it.

"It's just one more step we have to take," said linebacker Shay Muirbrook. "We've had a great season so far, but it won't mean anything if we don't beat Wyoming. We've got our eye on the big prize. But if we don't get this one, it won't matter."

Edwards points to the fact his team needed to win a big game over Utah just to get to the WAC championship as proof that his way is the right way.

"We handled that situation well," he said of the Cougars' 37-17 win over their archrival. "That's why I'm not worried about our guys losing their focus. They know the easiest way to fall off the mountain is to get caught looking ahead."