With the arrival of Week 4 of the college football season, so begins the regularity of conference foes squaring off against each other. The Kansas State Wildcats will head for the hills, or more accurately, the mountains, as they take on the BYU Cougars.
With both teams currently undefeated, here’s all the latest betting information to help you get a handle on what might happen in a late-night showdown from Provo.
Kansas State vs. BYU Betting and DFS Preview
All Kansas State vs. BYU odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of September 16, 2024.
- Spread
Kansas State -7 - Moneyline
Kansas State -238, BYU +195 - Over/Under
47.5 - 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. However, with it being a later kick and each team’s high-quality defense, points may be hard to find.
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. That line could drop more as the betting public starts to figure its way through the slate.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
- QB Jake Retzlaff, BYU
- RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
- RB Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
- WR Jayce Brown, Kansas State
- RB Miles Davis, BYU
- WR Chase Roberts, BYU
- TE Keanu Hill, BYU
Giddens has gone over 100 yards rushing in two of his three games and finally found the end zone last week to give him some scoring potential. Edwards is a touchdown waiting to happen and already has four on the season. Meanwhile, Jayce Brown is due to get a touchdown any game to go with his nine catches.
If LJ Martin is unable to go this week, Miles Davis has done well filling in for the injured Martin. Keanu Hill had a breakout game against Wyoming with three catches and a touchdown, and Chase Roberts may be one of the bigger secret weapons at wideout — he has 15 catches on the year despite only having two receptions at SMU.
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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