Saturday Night College Football Prediction: Kansas State vs BYU Odds and Pick

• Kansas State vs BYU is featured on Saturday Night Football
• The Cougars are enticing +7 underdogs in the Week 4 CFB odds
• Read below for Kansas State vs BYU odds, prediction for Sept. 21

The No. 13 Kansas State Wildcats (3-0) head to Provo, Utah, to take on the BYU Cougars (3-0) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Week 4 Saturday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 21, 2024, with ESPN handling the broadcast duties.

The oddsmakers have installed Kansas State as 7-point favorites, with the over/under currently at 49.5 points.

Here’s a look at the Week 4 college football odds, along with our Kansas State vs BYU prediction.

Kansas State vs BYU Odds

The Wildcats are laying a touchdown on the road, which might seem like a lot. However, the odds tell us that Kansas State has a 72.4% implied probability of winning this game outright.

Odds as of Sep. 14, 2024, at ESPN Bet. Register with the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on Saturday night football.

On the flip side, BYU is a live underdog with a +209 moneyline, meaning a $100 bet would net you $209 if the Cougars pull off the upset.

The total of 49.5 points suggests we could be in for a bit of a defensive battle, with the under slightly favored at -111. Remember, both of these teams have been solid defensively, with Kansas State allowing just 13.3 points per game and BYU giving up a mere 14 points per contest.

Wildcats Betting Analysis

Kansas State’s offense has been thriving, largely thanks to the play of dual-threat QB Avery Johnson. The sophomore from Houston has been slinging it and running it with equal effectiveness, accounting for 677 total yards and six touchdowns through three games.

But Johnson isn’t the only weapon in the Wildcats’ arsenal. Junior back DJ Giddens has been a force on the ground, accounting for 324 yards and a TD on 6.6 yards per carry. When Johnson looks to pass, he often targets TE Brayden Loftin, who has hauled in six catches for 86 yards and two scores.

Brayden Loftin brings in the first TD of the season for @KStateFB ✅#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/VtfrEoiP1D

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 31, 2024

Defensively, the Wildcats have been solid, led by senior linebacker Austin Romaine and junior DL Brendan Mott.

Romaine, a Wichita native, leads the team with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks, while Mott, a Topeka product, has been disruptive with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

For Kansas State to cover the spread, they’ll need to continue their balanced offensive attack and let their defense do what it does best: pressure the quarterback and stuff the run.

Cougars Betting Analysis

BYU, the Big 12’s surprise team, has won three straight to start the season, including an upset at SMU. The Cougars are led by junior pivot Jake Retzlaff, who has been slinging it all over the yard to the tune of 841 yards and seven TDs.

Retzlaff’s go-to target is Chase Roberts, a 6-foot-4 junior from American Fork, Utah. Roberts has corralled 15 catches for 263 yards and will look to exploit a Kansas State secondary that ranks 93rd in the nation in passing yards allowed per game.

Chase Roberts. Dawg. pic.twitter.com/S4JuWPE1Xz

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 19, 2024

The Cougars have been equally impressive on defense, led by senior linebacker Jack Kelly and sophomore defensive back Jakob Robinson.

Kelly, a Sandy, Utah native, leads the team with seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks, while Robinson, an Orem product, has been a ball hawk with three tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, and a pass breakup.

If BYU wants to pull the upset in the CFB odds, they’ll need Retzlaff and Roberts to continue their aerial assault. The Cougars might also require their defense to can generate some turnovers against a Kansas State team that has only coughed it up twice this season.

Kansas State vs BYU Prediction

I’m backing BYU +7 against Kansas State for Saturday Night Football. The public loves betting on ranked teams like the No. 13 Wildcats, but the Cougars are being undervalued in this spot.

The altitude in Provo, Utah, cannot be overlooked. LaVell Edwards Stadium sits 4,553 feet above sea level, presenting a unique challenge for visiting teams. The Wildcats are just 1-3 all-time in Provo, with their only win coming in 1975. The altitude should be a factor as this game wears on.

A good ole’ throwback to 1996 🤙 pic.twitter.com/JIN3axOhQ3

— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) September 21, 2024

Furthermore, BYU’s defense has been exceptional this season, holding opponents to just 4.2 yards per pass attempt. K-State’s pass defense, meanwhile, has been leaky, allowing nearly eight yards per attempt. With BYU’s Retzlaff averaging 8.9 yards per pass, the Cougars have a solid edge in the passing game.

Sharp bettors have pushed the line to Kansas State -6.5, reinforcing that the Cougars are mispriced in the odds. BYU has covered in every game so far and are decent value to keep the trend going.

I’m laying the points with BYU +7 for the full game and will consider live betting opportunities if KSU leads early, as the altitude could swing the momentum in BYU’s favor in the second half.

Saturday Night CFB Pick:

• BYU +7 (-110)

In what is sure to be an exciting matchup, the Kansas State Wildcats will face off against the BYU Cougars in Saturday night college football action. Both teams are coming off impressive wins in their previous games and will be looking to continue their momentum in this highly anticipated showdown.

The odds for this game currently favor BYU, with the Cougars listed as 6.5-point favorites. This is not surprising given BYU’s strong start to the season, which includes wins over Power Five opponents like Arizona and Utah. The Cougars have been led by quarterback Jaren Hall, who has been efficient and effective in the passing game, as well as running back Tyler Allgeier, who has been a force on the ground.

On the other side, Kansas State has also had a solid start to the season, with wins over Stanford and Southern Illinois. The Wildcats have been led by quarterback Skylar Thompson, who has shown poise and leadership in guiding the offense. Running back Deuce Vaughn has also been a standout player for Kansas State, showcasing his speed and elusiveness in the backfield.

When it comes to making a prediction for this game, it is important to consider both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. BYU’s high-powered offense and stout defense make them a formidable opponent, but Kansas State has shown that they can compete with top teams in the country.

In the end, I believe that this game will be a close one, with both teams trading blows throughout the night. However, I am giving the slight edge to BYU to come out on top and cover the spread. Look for the Cougars to make key plays on both sides of the ball and secure a hard-fought victory over Kansas State.

Ultimately, Saturday night’s matchup between Kansas State and BYU promises to be an exciting and competitive game that fans won’t want to miss. Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this highly anticipated showdown.