Kansas State opponent preview: BYU
Our opponent series for the 2024 Kansas State season continues with game No. 2 versus Tulane. (All stats via bcftoys.com, collegefootballdata.com, and stats.ncaa.org)
LAST FIVE MEETINGS: The last Kansas State win over BYU came in 1976, but the Wildcats are 4-4 all-time versus the Cougars. K-State fell 19-15 in Dallas in 1996 and 39-0 in Provo in 1977. 1976 was a 13-3 Kansas State win in Manhattan. They lost on the road to BYU 32-9 in 1972 and were victorious over the Cougars 23-7 at home in 1971.
2023 RECORD: 5-7 overall, 2-7 in the Big 12. Tied for 11th in the conference.
BYU had only their third sub-.500 record in the last 20 years in their inaugural season in the Big 12. The Cougars started 5-2 and 2-2 in the Big 12 with a non-conference road win at Arkansas and Big 12 wins against Cincinnati and Texas Tech in Provo. BYU then lost their last five, though they ended the season with an overtime road loss against Oklahoma State after losing by seven to Oklahoma at home. K-State and the Cougars did not play last season.
COACH: Kalani Sitake enters his ninth season at BYU with a 61-41 record. 2023 was the second time BYU failed to earn a bowl trip in Sitake’s tenure. The Cougars had back-to-back double-digit win seasons in 2020 and 2021, finishing with a 21-4 combined record in those two years and ranked in the top 25 after each.
2023 REVIEW: BYU finished No. 77 in the F+ ratings with the No. 84 offense and No. 78 defense. The offense was the worst in the Big 12, ranking outside the top 100 in most major categories. The most redeemable quality of the offense was generating big plays, as they finished No. 26 in explosiveness. The defense was a bit better, though they still ranked outside the top 70 in most categories. They were inside the top 60 defensively in explosiveness allowed, pass efficiency and points allowed inside their own 40 yard line. A top 30 special teams unit was led by a top 25 kickoff coverage unit and one of the top kickers in college football.
2024 PROJECTION: BYU was picked to finish 13th in the Big 12 by the league’s media. The Cougars average rank in the offseason projections is No. 69 with the No. 63 offense and No. 84 defense according to Bill Connelly. BYU ranks No. 64 in returning production, No. 107 on offense and No. 12 on defense. Maybe their experience on the defensive side of the ball can trip up Kansas State a bit early. They lose starting quarterback Kedon Slovis, though he was replaced late in the season by returner Jake Retzlaff. Leading rusher LJ Martin is back, along with two of the top three returning receivers and three offensive linemen with at least eight starts. Five defenders that started at least eight games return, including three of the top four in producing havoc. BYU only brought in nine transfers and will be relying on roster continuity as much as any Big 12 program.
KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
QB Gerry Bohanon: The one major transfer on the offensive side for the Cougars is the former USF and Baylor quarterback. Though Retzlaff returns, BYU is hoping that Gerry Bohanon returns from an injury that sidelined him all last season and the second half of 2022 for USF. They are counting on him returning to the form that helped Baylor win the Big 12 in 2021. Bohanon finished that season with 2,205 yards passing and 18 touchdowns, along with 323 yards rushing and nine scores for the Bears before an injury limited his play to end that year. Retzlaff and Utah State transfer McCae Hillstead will battle with Bohanon for the job.
RB LJ Martin: He is the leading returner rusher for the Cougars, rushing for 4.8 yards per carry while gaining 518 yards and scoring four touchdowns in 2023.
WR Chase Roberts: Roberts led the Cougars with 42 catches, 573 yards and five receiving touchdowns. The senior has over 900 yards receiving in two seasons for BYU.
WR Darius Lassiter: The Eastern Michigan transfer was third last year for the Cougars with 365 yards on 29 catches and four scores.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
DE Tyler Batty: Batty earned second team All-Big 12 honors last year and was a preseason All-Big 12 selection. The senior led BYU with nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while finishing with 57 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2023.
CB Jakob Robinson: The senior cornerback led the team with seven passes broken up and tallied four interceptions and 59 tackles last season.
S Crew Wakley: Wakley finished with 59 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and six passes broken up last season.
S Ethan Slade: Slade is the leading returner in tackles from 2023 with 60, plus had an interception, 1.5 tackles for loss and three passes broken up.
KANSAS STATE WINS IF…
K-State comes out focused in a contest that could be a trap game between Arizona and Oklahoma State early in the season. BYU still has a lot of questions in their transition to the Big 12, and the Wildcats should be poised to win against one of the bottom teams in the league.
K-STATE LOSES IF…
They don’t handle a potential tough road environment, Bohanon returns to 2021 form to elevate the Cougar offense and the BYU defense makes big improvements, especially against the run.
Fan’s Prediction: Kansas State 38, BYU 17
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