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No. 13 Kansas State (3-0) travels to BYU (3-0) for the first time since 1977 for a game at 10:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 21 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Both of these teams completed their nonconference schedule undefeated and are setting their focus on the Big 12 Conference. Kansas State is coming off of a big win at home against Arizona (2-1) while BYU took care of business on the road against Wyoming (0-3) in their last game.
What's at Stake?
This is both teams' first Big 12 game this season. Starting 1-0 in conference play will be important in a conference that does not seem to have a dominant No. 1 team in a wide-open race. Kansas State, one of the favorites in the league to start the season, needs to pick up some wins on the road to have a chance to continue to compete for the league title. BYU is looking to continue to improve on a rough Year 1 in the Big 12 where they finished 5-7. The Cougars have one of the best home-field advantages in the conference with an electric atmosphere especially when the lights are on. Kansas State has to keep sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson clean and play mistake-free football to pick up the win in Provo.
Key Players: BYU Cougars
Jake Retzlaff, Quarterback
Retzlaff on the season has 841 yards passing 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He is also efficient on the ground with 113 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Cougars' offense undoubtedly runs through Retzlaff and his favorite target, wide receiver Chase Roberts. The Kansas State defense is opportunistic but will give up big plays occasionally. If Retzlaff can play mistake-free football he will give BYU a real chance to upset K-State.
Jack Kelly, Linebacker
Kelly is the team leader in sacks on the season with 2 sacks and has added 13 tackles. The linebacker group has to be ready to step up and stop running back DJ Giddens and Johnson in the run game. K-State will call designed runs for Johnson and he will also scramble for yards. BYU has struggled with containing running quarterbacks so far this season giving up 166 yards and 4 touchdowns. Johnson might be the most electric running quarterback BYU sees all year. Kelly and his teammates in the second level will have to play smart football to contain the running game.
Key Players: Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson, Quarterback
Coming off his best game as a starter against Arizona, Johnson will step into his toughest road test to this point in his career. The sophomore has thrown for 490 yards 6 touchdowns and 1 interception while completing 64.2 percent of his passes. He has also run for 187 yards on 28 carries. Of his 6 touchdown passes, they have all been to tight ends and running backs. At some point, the wide receivers will have to get involved more to help the development and place him near the top of Big 12 quarterbacks.
Jacob Parrish, Cornerback
The K-State defensive back has had 17 tackles so far this season but has not forced any turnovers. BYU will look to take shots against the Wildcats' defense putting stress on the defensive backs. Parrish will be matched up with Roberts quite a bit and will have his chances to make some game-changing plays to set K-State up to come home with the win.
Trends to Watch
This game is going to come down to both teams' defenses. Will Kansas State be able to limit the explosive plays like they did against Arizona or will they revert to the Tulane (1-2) game where they gave up multiple big plays? Will BYU be able to contain the Kansas State rushing game? If they can not stop Johnson, Giddens or Dylan Edwards, it will be a long night for the Cougars. The BYU defense has done pretty well against the passing game this season with the most yards they have given up being 144 yards against SMU (2-1).
Broadcast Information
Date: Sept. 21
Time: 10:30 p.m. EST
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
TV: ESPN
Line: Kansas State -6.5
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