As Week 4 of the college football season kicks off, the conference battles start heating up. The Kansas State Wildcats are set to hit the road, or more fittingly, the mountains, as they face the BYU Cougars.
With both squads still undefeated, here’s the latest Kansas State vs. BYU Prediction to give you a clearer picture of what to expect in this late-night Provo clash.
Kansas State vs. BYU Betting Preview
All Kansas State vs. BYU odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, September 21, 2024.
- Spread
Kansas State -7 - Moneyline
Kansas State -250, BYU +205 - Over/Under
49.5 - Game time
10:30 p.m. ET - Location
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT - Predicted Weather at Kick
70 degrees, 2 mph winds, sunny and pleasant - How to Watch
ESPN
BYU is a perfect 3-0 against the spread, while Kansas State is 1-2. That makes the seven-point line one to think about for this week. Both teams average over 30 points a game and allow less than 15, so the under looks small.
Weather conditions are expected to be good, and the home atmosphere may have enticed bettors to move the line down to seven from 7.5 at open.
Prediction for Kansas State vs. BYU
This is a nascent rivalry, given the two programs have only been in the same conference going on two years. The fact series is knotted at 4-4 adds a bit of intrigue, especially as BYU has won the last two games against the Wildcats.
Jake Retzlaff seemed to find some footing against Wyoming last week, throwing for three touchdowns and cutting down his interceptions from the previous week against SMU, when he threw two. He’ll have to be sharper though, as the Wildcats are going to be opportunistic this week.
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Avery Johnson has been great on the ground, but at just 7.3 yards per completion, will need to find some explosive plays somewhere to beat a BYU defense that loves to get after the quarterback. Junior transfer linebacker Jack Kelly has two sacks already on the season and BYU was great against SMU with three sacks as a team.
The run game is likely the one to watch, as Kansas State has nearly doubled up its opponent over the early course of the season. The Wildcats average 6.9 yards per rush, whereas BYU has managed just 4.0 yards per carry on the year.
Defensively, both teams have found success in limiting the run game, with Kansas State allowing 2.5 yards a carry and BYU giving up just 3.3 per rush. Both teams want to pressure the QB, but it’s been a mixed effort for Kansas State when they don’t get home. Third downs could be critical if each team does a good job of taking care of the football.
This one just feels like an upset waiting to happen, as BYU is riding high after three wins to open the season and Kansas State has to go on the road after an electric home victory on Friday night against Arizona. That said, the Wildcats just have too much firepower in all three phases of the game to pick the Cougars outright.
Prediction: Kansas State 27, BYU 23
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