BYU vs. Kansas Preview, Predictions

Credit: McCord Mecham

Game Info:

Date: Saturday, September 23rd; 3:30 p.m. EST;

Place: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium; Lawrence, Kansas

TV: ESPN

Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network (Brian Hanni, David Lawrence, Brandon McAnderson); BYU Radio (Greg Wrubell, Hans Olsen, Mitchell Juergens)

Records: BYU (3-0); Kansas (3-0)

Rankings: BYU, Kansas Both Receiving Votes (AP)

Series History; Kansas leads, 1-0-0

Last Meeting: Kansas 23, BYU 20

Line: Kansas (-9.5)

Preview

Gone are the days of Kansas being the conference doormat. Kansas seems to be back in the place they were at the beginning of last year when they went 6-0 to start the season. Kansas is having another hot start this season being 3-0 with a decent win over Illinois. There are still some unknowns though. Last week Kansas played winless Nevada and didn't seem to be able to pull away. Never get more than one score ahead.

BYU has its fair share of question marks still on this season. The first game against Sam Houston, a first-year FBS team, ended 14-0. Even last week against Arkansas, the outcome was great but if you look at the statistics BYU still struggled on offense. Arkansas outpaced BYU in many categories, if you would like to see my recap of that game you can do that here.

https://www.collegefootballdawgs.com/post/how-did-byu-win-this-game

I expect both teams to figure a lot out during practice this week and be ready for their first BIG 12 matchup this season and BYU's first BIG 12 matchup ever. I hope to see a good game. I think it will be close and possibly much like last week's game for BYU. I can see multiple lead changes throughout the game and it comes down right to the end again for both teams. I think BYU holds on to beat Kansas due to their defense. BYU's defense had an impressive performance last week versus Arkansas and was able to get consistent pressure on KJ Jefferson, even with only a 4 man rush. They also caused enough problems for the Arkansas Oline to make them get caught holding multiple times throughout the game. I think BYU will keep this up and wreak havoc in the backfield for Jalon Daniels.

Key Players - BYU

DE Tyler Batty

Coming off of a BIG 12 DPOW performance, Batty comes into this game with 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in the first 3 games of the year. If BYU is going to get the pressure on Jalon Daniels that they will need to slow him down, it is going to come through Batty.

QB Kedon Slovis

Slovis has been amazing and protecting the ball this season, he will need to keep that up this week against Kansas to keep BYU in it. I expect to see some longer drives for BYU than last week and Slovis is going to need to be a lot more consistent than the 52% completion rate he had last week.

Key Players - Kansas

QB Jalon Daniels

Jalon has been impressive in the two games he has played so far with a 75% completion rating as well as throwing for 575 yards and two touchdowns and only giving up one interception, BYU can't give him much time in the pocket because he will make them pay for it if they do.

DB Kenny Logan Jr

Kenny is just flat-out good at what he does, leading the team with 19 tackles in 3 games. Slovis will need to keep a special eye out in Kenny's area of the field or he will cause a lot of trouble for BYU all game.

Prediction

BYU takes this one 35-28.

Go Cougs!