Kansas vs #6 BYU: NCAA Football Predictions, Odds & Best Bets

The Big 12 After Dark is back with another thriller, as the 3-6 Kansas Jayhawks travel West to take on the undefeated BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah.  BYU is currently 9-0 and controls their own path. Winning out would include a trip the Big 12 Championship and potentially the College Football Playoff. Even with a loss, they may still reach the conference title game, but regardless, they will want to win again in front of their home crowd Saturday Night.

But don't be so quick to count out the Jayhawks.

This team has a terrible record, but they've competed in every single game. They have lost 6 games by a combined 30 points, losing by less than a touchdown on average. They seem to be trending in the right direction, winning 2 of their L3, and they have plenty to play for still. Kansas was once thought of as a potential CFP Dark Horse this year, but now they need to win all of their remaining games to have a shot at going bowling. To me, this spread reflects the Jayhawks bringing their A-game on Saturday Night.

But will it be enough to take down BYU? Or will the Cougars roll to yet another victory?

Check out our Expert NCAA Football Picks!

Kansas Jayhawks vs #6 BYU Cougars: Big 12 After Dark

Matchup Information – Kansas vs BYU

• Venue & Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium (Provo, UT)
• Date: Saturday, November 16th, 2024
• Kick Off: 10:15pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Kansas +2.5 (-105)
• BYU -2.5 (-115)

Money Line

• Kansas +115
• BYU -135

Total

• Over 56.5 (-110)
• Under 56.5 (-110)

Could Jayhawks Play Spoiler and Ruin Cougars Season?

It's no secret that the Jayhawks have underperformed this year, but they are still competing. Despite being 3-6, they have some blowout wins, and some very close losses, resulting in a +62 point differential. The Jayhawks are a very electric offense, and playing spoiler would be perfect for them. Who doesn't want to ruin someone else's perfect season? (Says the Chiefs fan whose team plays Buffalo this week).

The point is, BYU should've lost last week. Their luck is running out, and to be quite honest with you, all homerisms aside, I could see Kansas pulling off the upset. BYU has escaped some very close games, winning by 3 against SMU and Oklahoma State, and beating Utah by 1 last week on a last second field goal. The loss is going to come, and to be honest, if I'm BYU, I don't mind dropping this one. They play a very underrated Sun Devils team on the road next week, so their focus may be elsewhere and like I said, they can afford one loss and still make the Big 12 Championship.

Kansas has everything in the world to play for this week. They can still win out, become bowl eligible and maybe turn some heads down the stretch after starting off terribly. The Jayhawks are fully healthy, have built major confidence over the past few weeks, and face a team that is walking a fine, undefeated line. I lean with the Jayhawks and also the over, but I'll be targeting a player prop and laddering it up.

Kansas Jayhawks vs #6 BYU Cougars Best Bets

Kansas vs BYU Prediction: Kansas Wins, Over 56.5

Best Bets: Devin Neal Over 81.5 Rushing Yards (-114) BetOnline

We are taking Mr. Devin Neal for 81+ rushing yards this weekend, with a sprinkle on 100+ yards at (+150) as well.

Devin Neal just became the Jayhawks' all time leading rusher. But he's hungry for more. Neal averages 16.3 carries for 97.1 rushing yards per game this season, along with scoring over 1 rushing TD per game as well. He's cleared this line in 6/9 games, going for 100+ in all of those contests, hence the sprinkle. In the games he hasn't cleared this line, Neal has finished with 66, 70, and 71 rushing yards.

Last week the kid had 18 carries, the most since September and he runs for nearly 6 yards every time he touches the ball. Plus he faces a very bad BYU rushing defense.

The Cougars allow 150 rushing yards per game and 4.5 per carry, with both of those number inflating at home. BYU allows over 200 yards on the ground and 5.5 per attempt at home this season, and they fail to slow down dominant RBs, whom they face this weekend.

RBs Against BYU

• Micah Bernard (Utah): 17-78
• RJ Harvey (UCF): 16-127-2
• Ollie Gordon (OSU): 16-107-2
• DJ Giddens (KSU): 19-93

Over the past 3 weeks, running backs have put up 104 yards on 16.3 carries against the Cougars, adding 1.33 TDs per game as well. I see Neal being a big part of the Jayhawks offense this weekend and running again for triple digits.

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