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BYU is a dangerous team and Kansas State can't afford to over look the Cougars

Kansas State will open Big 12 play against BYU and looks to move to 4-1 in Big 12 openers under head coach Chris Klieman.

By Ericka Brockish

Sep 13, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman looks at the scoreboard during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman looks at the scoreboard during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images / Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
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Kansas State is set to open up Big 12 play against BYU, who is in just their second season in the conference. The Wildcats are the favorites right now to win the Big 12 and BYU was picked to finish near the bottom of the conference.

The Cougars and the Wildcats are heading into Big 12 play 3-0, and this is not going to be an easy game for K-State. BYU is going to throw everything they have at the Wildcats as they see the No. 13 next to Kansas State's name and want to make a statement.

So what can Kansas State expect from BYU?

BYU has a top-five defense and is ranked just below Kansas State in the Big 12 defensive rankings. The Cougars have only played one power conference member this season, and that was new ACC member SMU. The Mustangs are no slouch either, and BYU didn't allow them to find the end zone. However, the Cougars did give up two touchdowns to Southern Illinois in Week 1 and two touchdowns to Wyoming in Week 3.

BYU linebacker Jack Kelly has been great for the Cougars so far this season and is even starting to get some NFL buzz for the 2025 NFL Draft if he chooses to declare after the season. Kelly might have the job of keeping Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson contained when he wants to scramble out of the pocket.

Johnson has shown his ability to the ball throughout the season, but he put on a clinic against Arizona in Week 3. You can probably bet that BYU has gone over that film over and over again in order to try and find some way to get containment on the young quarterback.

Moving on from the defense, BYU has a solid offense in the first three games of the season, with quarterback Jake Retzlaffs showing a great connection with wide receiver Chase Roberts. However, the Wildcats can't have the same game plan against BYU that they had against Arizona, trying to take away the Cougar's best receiver. BYU is deep at the receiver position, so the Wildcats will have to play their best defense of the season to this point against the Cougars.

The Kansas State pass rush has shown it can get the quarterback and either take him down or make him uncomfortable. The Wildcats will have to be ready to deal with Retzlaffs' sneaky ability to run because even though he isn't known for it. he can be mobile when he needs to be.

The last part of this game that Kansas State will have to be ready for is the environment. The Wildcats are set for a matchup in Provo at night. The fans are going to be loud, and Johnson has yet to play in a truly hostile environment for the entire game. Johnson will have to find ways to quiet the crowd with big plays and get the Wildcats on the board early in order to make BYU uncomfortable.

This will not be an easy game for Kansas State and they need to come ready, or they could be the next Top 25 team to get beaten by an unranked opponent this season.

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