Kansas (3-6, 2-4 Big 12) is set to face No. 7 BYU (9-0, 6-0, No. 6 CFP) this Saturday at 10:15 p.m. EST on ESPN.
According to BetMGM College Football Odds, BYU is favored by three points in this matchup.
Historically, Kansas has the advantage in this series, leading 2-0.
In terms of stakes, BYU is aiming to secure a place in the Big 12 Championship game, needing to win two out of their remaining three contests.
They currently have Colorado trailing them by just one game in the conference standings.
Conversely, Kansas hopes to achieve its first-ever consecutive victories against ranked opponents in school history this season.
A significant aspect of this game will be the clash of BYU’s defense against Kansas’s powerful running game.
BYU has struggled against big plays on the ground, making this a potentially strong matchup for Kansas, which averages an impressive 213.6 rushing yards per game.
Key players Jalon Daniels and Devin Neal are notable threats who can capitalize on gaps in BYU’s defense.
On the flip side, QB Jake Retzlaff from BYU has the ability to take advantage of Kansas’s pass defense, which concedes an average of 282.7 yards in the air to Big 12 teams.
When looking at individual performances, Kansas’s Devin Neal made headlines recently by setting school records for all-time rushing yards and touchdowns during a 45-36 victory over Iowa State, where he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
Neal’s current career rushing total stands at 3,951 yards, and he is on track to exceed the 4,000-yard milestone on Saturday.
For BYU, Retzlaff experienced a challenging outing in a narrow 22-21 win against Utah.
Although he secured his fifth consecutive game with over 200 passing yards, his completion percentage dropped to a season-low of 45.5%.
Historically, BYU has thrived when he maintains a completion percentage above 56%, winning five out of six such contests by double digits.
In terms of statistics, BYU currently leads the Big 12 in turnovers gained with 21, interceptions at 16, and has a turnover margin of 1.11, placing them among the Top 10 in these categories across the FBS.
Additionally, Kansas boasts the best record in the Big 12 when it comes to sacks allowed, averaging just 0.89 per game.
Among individual performers, Kansas cornerbacks Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant are tied for the most interceptions in the league with four each, while BYU’s Jakob Robinson ranks fifth with three picks.
Furthermore, BYU’s Will Ferrin has made a league-leading 17 field goals this season.
In historical context, Kansas has an even record of 1-1 when playing in Utah, marking their first trip to Provo.
Their previous encounters in the state involved a win against Utah in Salt Lake City back in 1950, followed by a loss in 1996.