PROVO, Utah—For the first time since New Years 1997, it is a game day with BYU vs. State of Kansas.
BYU hosts No. 13 Kansas State – this time as a Big 12 opponent.
Saturday night will be the ninth meeting between the two teams. The series is tied at 4-4, with BYU winning the last two meetings in the 1997 Cotton Bowl and the Wildcats’ last visit to Provo in 1977.
Both teams come into this matchup with a perfect 3-0 record after winning their non-conference games. Both teams will be looking to start the Big 12 portion of their schedule on the right foot.
BYU vs. No. 13 Kansas State
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (MDT)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Three thoughts on match day
1. An opportunity BYU has dreamed of for decades
BYU has dreamed of this opportunity for decades: the chance to play a major conference game in front of a national audience.
BYU has had a long list of big games in its 100 seasons as a program, but this is the first time the big games will be in a Power Four conference.
Last year, BYU’s first Big 12 game was away at Kansas, and its first home game was against Cincinnati, another newcomer.
With an undefeated record and a nationally ranked opponent that is an original Big 12 member, this is the lineup BYU has dreamed of since the heyday of the LaVell Edwards era in the 1980s.
Opportunities like this don’t always come along, so this is a chance to make a name for yourself in the revamped Big 12.
2. Jake Retzlaff can silence the critics with a great performance
Despite ranking 20th nationally in passing yards (841) and leading BYU to a 3-0 start this season, Jake Retzlaff still has his critics.
His three-turn performance against SMU two weeks ago and some of the near interceptions in the win at Wyoming are areas he can improve in. However, Retzlaff did not fumble the ball last week.
feels good to be home
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) 21 September 2024
He also showed good presence in the pocket and the ability to run.
Retzlaff will need to be at his best in tonight’s game against Kansas State. Kansas State has the personnel on defense to give the former JUCO star signal-caller a long night.
If he performs at his best and BYU comes out on top or stays competitive until the end, he can silence all the people who question his position as the starting quarterback.
3. BYU cannot be one-dimensional offensively
There are questions at running back for the BYU football team heading into tonight’s game. LJ Martin and Hinckley Folau Ropati are injured and questionable for their participation against Kansas State.
If those two are unavailable, Miles Davis will have to step up his game like he did last week against Wyoming. Enoch Nawahine is expected to be available tonight after sitting out last week with shoulder soreness.
BYU also has freshmen Pokaiaua Haunga and Sione I. Moa to complete the running back group, as well as quarterback Jake Retzlaff, another number K-State will have to consider in the running game.
BYU needs a ground attack to keep K-State’s defense in check. If BYU becomes one-dimensional, people might have flashbacks to the trouble BYU had against 3-3-5 Big 12 defenses last season (TCU, Iowa State).
Two questions about BYU vs. Kansas State
1. What tricks does Jay Hill have up his sleeve to slow down K-State QB Avery Johnson?
Last week in Wyoming, the BYU defense played mostly out of its base. There wasn’t much new on the schedule against a Pokes team that has one of the worst offenses in the FBS this season.
Tonight, things are different as BYU tries to slow down Kansas State’s star quarterback, Avery Johnson.
#BYU DC Jay Hill expects Micah Harper, Mory Bamba and Logan Lutui to all be available this Saturday.
Hill said Bamba “looked good in practice today.”#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/5gGumcJR4O
– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) 17 September 2024
It’s a game where BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill will have to use the full depth of his playbook. BYU has made roster retention a top priority. That’s paying off early this season, with BYU’s defense playing faster due to their knowledge of Hill’s scheme.
Whether they spy on Johnson or apply pressure, BYU must find a way to contain Johnson on the ground and force him to pass. If they can do that, they have a chance to pull off the upset in the fourth quarter.
Kansas State’s offense has scored at least 28 points in 11 consecutive games, the most in the FBS and five games better than the next best team, the Texas Longhorns.
2. What impact will special teams have on this game?
BYU and Kansas State come into this game after their special teams scored touchdowns last week. Last week, K-State’s Dylan Edwards returned a 71-yard punt for a touchdown in a 31-7 win over Arizona, earning him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
103-YARD KICKOFF RETURN TD FOR @BYUfootball! pic.twitter.com/d4lVvgfHnJ
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) 15 September 2024
A day later, BYU’s Keelan Marion returned a 100-yard kick for a touchdown in a win over Wyoming.
In the past, Kansas State has prided itself on being a “Special Team U,” but they were underwhelming last year. The signing of Edwards has significantly improved their return game, and the third period of the game will have to be perfect for either side to emerge victorious.
A score prediction for BYU vs Kansas State
This is the perfect place for BYU to play this game against K-State. BYU enters the matchup relatively healthy, aside from the running back unit.
The Cougar defense is able to slow down K-State’s attack, with BYU stars Tyler Batty, Blake Mangelson, Jack Kelly and Jakob Robinson all shining in their combined effort to slow Johnson down.
Retzlaff avoids disastrous ball losses and achieves a solid performance from the air.
In addition, the impact of BYU’s home environment at night cannot be underestimated.
BYU pulls off a surprise and gives Kalani Sitake one of the most beautiful victories of his tenure as head coach.
Result prediction: BYU 27, Kansas State 24
Mitch Harper is BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12-3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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