I don’t know what your expectations were for BYU coming into this season and they may have been better or worse than mine, but, through 3 games of the season, BYU is 3-0…and that number 3, was one of the best games that I have seen BYU play. Now we look to number 4 against a very similar Kansas team.
BYU Goes Back and Forth with Arkansas
BYU went back and forth with Arkansas with BYU ultimately winning the game, 38-31. But it was how the game happened and how BYU played and responded that made it one of the best games that I have seen. Before we had even reached 4 minutes into the game, BYU was down 14-0. A long RB run and punt return for a TD created that hole and all of the momentum was with Arkansas. Now i’m not an engineer or anything, but that is not good. It looked like another blowout against the SEC was coming.
But then BYU lit a fire under them and started to gain some momentum. A crucial defensive stop led to a trick play for a touchdown. Freshman Parker Kingston found Deion Smith down the sideline wide open for a TD and it was beautiful and such a great trick play. Next possession, BYU had a 45 yard TD run by freshman LJ Martin to tie up the game. And all of a sudden, BYU is tied 14-14. LJ Martin ran it again to start the second quarter giving him two total touchdowns on the game and a 21-14 lead for BYU. BYU scored 21 straight points! 21!
Arkansas kicked back into gear and scored 10 straight points to close out the half including a field goal from a BYU fumble after just scoring a TD. So the halftime score was 24-21. Not too bad. After being down 14 at one point, to only be down 3 at halftime didn’t feel too bad.
BYU started the second half woeful. They looked bad. Just like when they opened the game down 14-0. They gave up an opening drive TD to Arkansas on their first possession in the second half making the score 31-21 and putting some real doubt on how BYU could win the game. But enter in, our amazing defense. BYU got a field goal to make it 31-24 and then had a sweet interception and one play later a TD to make the game tied again. Honestly, it all happened so quick, I was about to have a heart attack.
A missed field goal off the post by Arkansas set up BYU with some good field position. BYU drove down the field and then we witnessed one of the greatest catches that I have ever seen on TV. A one handed catch by Chase Roberts that put BYU up 38-31 with about 8 minutes left to go. See the video of the catch below! It was #1 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays! BYU holds Arkansas to a punt and then they end up fumbling on their last possession of the game thanks to a great defensive call of a corner blitz who sacked and stripped the ball from Jefferson, Arkansas’ QB.
It was truly an amazing game! And BYU came back twice! Once down from 14 and a second time down by 10. But, of course, seasons don’t end 3 games into the season and its on the the next game. But BYU has to be feeling good about that win. That was a win that no one had BYU winning, including me, who is the ultimate BYU fan. The outlook of the season has totally changed just on that win and week alone.(More on this later)
BYU vs Kansas Preview
Well here we go, folks! We made it! Its finally here! Its the FIRST GAME OF THE BIG 12 CONFERENCE for BYU! BYU gets ArKansas in Lawrence for their first offical conference game. Sadly, its on the road and against a pretty good team. But thats what we signed up for!
Kansas gained 15 votes in the AP poll this week putting them at about 31st in the nation. BYU actually gained some votes this week as well thanks to the win against Arkansas. They had 3 votes this week putting them at 35th in the nation. BYU is creeping up and if they can beat Kansas this weekend, could have a shot to be in the Top 25 or at least close to it.
Kansas is deadly though, especially on offense. Kansas ranks 17th in the nation in total offensive yards per game. They are averaging 500!!! yards of offense A GAME and are 15th in total yards per play at 7.29. Kansas’ defense is ranked 20th in the nation in total yards allowed per game. With those stats, your probably wondering why they arent in the top 25. Well they havent really played anyone good. Theyve played Missouri St and won by 31, Illinois and won by 11, and Nevada and won by 7.
Other than the first game, none of them were blowouts when they probably should have been. When you see these scores and the stats that Kansas is putting up and wonder why they havent been blowing these teams out, there are two huge problems that they have, turnovers and penalties. Kansas had 2 turnovers and 4 penalties for 34 yards against Illinois and 1 turnover and 7 penalties for 53 yards against Nevada. If BYU wants to win this game, they have to have less penalties than Kansas and win the turnover margin.
The main X factors that I have for this game are Kansas’ QB Jalon Daniels, RB Devin Neal, and WR Lawrence Arnold. This is what their offense revolves around. Daniels can run and throw the ball very well and hasnt thrown for less than 275 yards in a game, Neal is a great runner and put up 3 TDs last week and hasnt ran under 85 yards in a game, and Arnold hasnt had less than 40 yards of receiving in a game. These guys are all uber talented and will be a challenge to stop.
One quick note on the Kansas defense, they havent played great offensive teams yet and that could be why they are ranked so well on defense. Is BYU great on offense? Eh, thats debatable. But this game could turn into an Arkansas type of game where they will have to make plays when needed. Just a side note, BYUs defense now ranks in the top 50 for yards allowed per game. That is where the main matchup will be, BYU’s defense vs Kansas’ offense.
Kansas is favored by 9 points, more than Arkansas, who were favored by 8. How? I dont know, dont ask me. At least BYU got more love from ESPN’s Analytics prediction which gives the Cougars a 43.5% chance to win. Thats better than the 20% they got for Arkansas. This is going to a tough game though. I think it will be very similar to the Arkansas game where the defense will have to step up and make some stops. My prediction is 28-27, BYU.
BYU Uniforms vs Kansas
BYU is breaking out “new” uniforms this game as well! They will be wearing all white for the game with never before worn white face masks with their all white jerseys and pants. The all white will have NAVY trim instead of the royal. I like this since Kansas is pretty royal themselves and BYU is trying to be different with navy.
Big 12 Conference Update
Texas pulled away from Wyoming late after trailing most of the first half. Missouri upset #15 Kansas St on a 61 yard field goal as time expired. It was the longest SEC field goal EVER. Iowa St did not look good at all with a 7-10 loss to Ohio. UCF has looked very good on offense so far with a 48-14 win over Villanova. Cincinnati lost their first game of the season in an overtime thriller against Miami (OH). Oklahoma St got destroyed and looked awful in their first loss of the season, 33-7, against South Alabama. West Viriginia won the Backyard Brawl 17-6 against Pitt. Kansas won a close one against Nevada 31-24. TCU picked up their first win in the Big 12 defeating Houston 36-13. Everyone now starts their Big 12 conference play this week! So look for some fireworks and exciting games this week!
The Man, The Myth, The Legend
The last thing I wanted to talk about was, Puka Nacua. If you have been living under a rock or aren’t a Rams fan like I am, then you have probably not seen that Puka Nacua, former BYU WR and now Rams WR, broke the record on Sunday for the most receptions in the NFL by a rookie in their first two games. Nacua had 25 receptions through his first two games. That is insane! With 119 yards the first game and 147 yards the second game. He is on pace to break the season reception record and the season receiving yards record. He is insane and is much watch right now. The Rams play the Bengals on Monday Night Football next week.
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