Although the Cougar offense had limited success at Utah, this is a matchup where BYU should have some success. The Jayhawks give up on average more than 380 yards and nearly 27 points per game. This is a chance for Jake Retzlaff, LJ Martin and the rest of the Cougars to get back to being the highest scoring team in the Big 12

Edge: BYU

BYU defense vs. Kansas offense

The Cougars might be going up against the best quarterback they have faced all year in Jalon Daniels. Not only can he run as well as some of the other QB but he’s also generally very accurate and has some good weapons around him. Mistakes by BYU will turn into big plays for the Jayhawks.

Edge: Kansas

Coaching

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake still believes the Cougars haven’t put everything together yet and is still pushing to see that happen, despite having a perfect record. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold deserves tremendous credit for keeping the Jayhawks focused despite a run of tough, close-game losses.

Edge: Even

Intangibles

BYU will be at home in front of a big crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium for a late-night kickoff, all things Kansas has yet to experience. The weather could be a factor, depending on how Mother Nature decides to do things. Both teams will get a big boost from turnovers, something the Cougars have forced a lot this season.

Edge: BYU

Key Matchup: BYU safeties vs. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels

With 1,816 yards passing, 323 yards rushing and 19 total touchdowns, Daniels comes in having proven he can beat opponents both on the ground and through the air. He is coming off his best game of the season in both categories against a pretty good Iowa State defense. That means BYU safeties Crew Wakely, Tanner Wall, Raider Damuni and the rest of the unit need to be assignment sound in making plays on passes downfield and coming up to stop the run — but when prepared they’ve shown they can do that this season.

Edge: BYU

Prediction

BYU will start strong, thanks to an early Kansas turnover, but the Jayhawks will rally with a couple of big plays. The Cougars will make some mistakes that will allow the visitors to stay close but Jake Retzlaff will also throw for one TD and score another on the ground. In the end, Kansas will have a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter but BYU’s defense will rise up and get a big fourth-down stop to secure the victory.

BYU 37, Kansas 31