Kansas vs BYU Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 15, 2024 5:19 AM ET

Oh yeah, let’s go hyperbolic here in these crazy times with the entire world melting down …

This might be the most fun thing you'll watch this weekend.

BYU played yet another interesting game with a win over Utah that will live as long as there’s BYU-Utah football.

Not only did BYU beat its wounded arch-rival, and not only did it keep its unbeaten season alive, and not only did it do it in such a brutal way that it caused an extremely costly flip-out, but it did it in a way to cement the idea that this is a charmed season.

A Big 12 title appearance is almost a given, but going to Arizona State next week isn’t easy and closing with Houston is sneaky-tough.

Meanwhile, Kansas has shown up large with the offense going crazy on Houston and Iowa State over the last few week. Now it’s spoiler time with BYU this week, Colorado to follow, and at Baylor to finish.

Kansas vs BYU: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPN
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
Teams: BYU (9-0), Kansas (3-6)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Week 12 Schedule, Predictions

Why Kansas Will Win

So how did this all flip for Kansas? Nothing really happened over the last few weeks other than the offense took it all up several notches.

It wasn’t enough to be explosive and crank out over 400 yards a game on a regular bass. The running game has turned unstoppable, and now the team is 3-0 when coming up with 467 yards or more - and 0-6 when it doesn’t.

The BYU defense has been strong - it only allowed over 400 yards once in the thriller over Oklahoma State - but it hasn’t faced anything like this.

Oklahoma State, UCF, Kansas State, Utah, and even Southern Illinois were all able to run well on BYU. Kansas is averaging close to six yards per carry, it has to stay explosive, and …

Why BYU Will Win

Turnovers. Kansas gives up a ton of them, and BYU takes them.

The Jayhawk defense has been a tad absent at key times, but it’s been able to take the ball away in bunches including four against Houston a few weeks ago. However, KU has yet to win a game this year against an FBS team when it turns the ball over.

BYU has forced a turnover in every game and is fifth in the nation in takeaways. Combine that with a lack of penalties, good special teams play, and growing unwavering belief that there’s something charmed about this bunch, and …

Kansas vs BYU: Who Will Win?

Again, demand fun out of this one.

Kansas has the offense to push BYU really, really hard, but BYU has been able to rise up to every challenge.

The Jayhawk explosion will get out to a big start, but BYU will creep back in the game. One big return, one big turnover, and all of a sudden the Cougars will be alive with a chance to pull off another late thriller.