Overrated. It can be defined as anything or anyone given too much credit and hype. Like the music of Amy Winehouse. Or watermelon. Or the impact of the poor economy on pro sports millionaires.

Fans chant "overrated!" when their teams are beating a favored opponent -- except for Utah State fans, who chanted "overrated!" when BYU was beating their Aggies by 20 points back in October.

On Monday, Colorado Springs Gazette columnist David Ramsey wrote "BYU might be the most overrated No. 17 team in American football history."

Whether the Air Force Falcons -- BYU's opponent on Saturday -- believe that remains to be seen. As for BYU players, quarterback Max Hall wouldn't touch the question in Monday's media conference.

Senior offensive guard Travis Bright laughed when he heard about it.

"We're still 9-1," Bright said. "I guess it bothers me the same as if someone said we're the worst 105th-ranked team or whatever. It's kind of a personal attack, but there's some games this year where we didn't show we were a certain kind of team or whatever other people felt we should be. It's not going to effect the way I'm going to play or the way the team plays. We're just going to go out and see who wants it more on Saturday."

Junior wide receiver Austin Collie shrugged when he was told about the column

"Honestly, all that stuff is just bogus," he said. "People can think what they want. We're going to keep winning and let the chips fall where they may. Whatever happens, happens."

BYU rose in both the AP and USA Today polls after Saturday's 41-12 win over San Diego State, but fell two places in the BCS standings.

Basing any argument on the polls or computer rankings is problematic -- after all, this is the same group that ranked Clemson (4-5) ninth, Auburn (5-5) 10th, Arizona State (3-6) 15th, Tennessee (3-7) 18th and current No. 1 Alabama (10-0) 24th in preseason polls. It's also the same group that each week admits last week's rankings were wrong, based on actual results on the field.

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been consistent in saying he would wait until the end of the season to evaluate what it all means. During the season, he said he just sees rankings as a distraction.

"I'm not sure I've ever placed a lot of stock in being in the limelight," he said. "I'd rather not have it. It's one less distraction for our team as we continue to work and learn. At the end of the season, we'll all know who's ranked where and who belongs where. My focus this week is playing well against Air Force. Sometimes it's more difficult to focus when you're in the limelight."

No matter what is written or said about the Cougars, the game with Air Force in Colorado Springs will prove, at least, who's the better team between the Cougars and the Falcons.

Overrated?

Junior defensive end Jan Jorgensen said, "I guess they'll find out on Saturday if that's true or not."

• Injury report: BYU sophomore running back Harvey Unga, who left the San Diego State game in the second quarter with a neck stinger, will be listed as "day-to-day" by Mendenhall, at least until Thursday.

"He's not quite 100 percent healthy," Mendenhall said. "He first got the stinger two or three weeks ago. When you get one, the threshold to receive another one lowers and it's easier to get another. With that injury comes a shoulder sprain or strain, which is a different injury but they are tied together.

"We'll get him as much rest as possible. It will most likely be that situation through the rest of the year."

• Down low: Air Force's option attack relies heavily on cut blocks -- blockers going low to take out defensive players.

"I'm just not a proponent of the block, anyway," Mendenhall said. "I don't think it's good for the game and puts players at risk. I'm not saying Air Force is cheating or unethicial, but if I were to have a say in the rules committe and just in general, I think the block isn't necessasry. Certainly it's effective and difficult to defend. I'm just not a proponent of it."

Neither is Jorgensen.

"All the cutting and chop blocks they do, it gets old," he said. "It gets old very quickly, like before I step on the field. You just have to take it. We practice against it, but we can't practice full speed. We have to wait until we get on the football field against them."

• Defending the option: This year's scout team quarterbacks for the Air Force game are redshirt freshmen Stephen Covey and Matt Marshall. Covey played in the spread option at Provo's Timpview High School while Marshall worked in a more conventional triple option attack at Skyline in Salt Lake City.

"We really don't have a chance to prepare accurately no matter who you have in terms of speed of the offense," Mendenhall said. "It gives you a chance to at least execute the plays within reason, to have an idea if your scheme is going to work or hold up. While the speed can't be simuated, at least you can check assignments. It's a luxury this year having two with Covey and Marshall with option experience."

As for Air Force's quarterback, freshman Tim Jefferson, Mendenhall said he's been impressed.

"I like him," Mendenhall said. "He's confident and poised. Within what they ask him to do he seems very sure of himself for a freshman."

Air Force is 5-0 since inserting Jefferson into the starting lineup.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com