Behind Enemy Lines - BYU at Kansas: A Q&A with Cougs Daily
This week has been all about discovering what has made the BYU Cougars successful in the lead up to this week's game against the Kansas Jayhawks. And while we had a quick scouting report in our preview yesterday, we had the opportunity to get even more information from someone who knows the Cougars much better than we do.
To help get a more complete picture of BYU, I was able to touch base with Casey Lundquist, the publisher over at Cougs Daily, the FanNation site that covers the BYU Cougars.
Which has been a bigger key so far this season: the play of Kedon Slovis or the improvement on defense?
The defense by a wide margin. BYU's defense, by nearly every measure, was one of the worst defenses in the country last season. BYU relied on an ultra-efficient offensive attack to win games. To their credit, the offense was efficient enough to still win eight games. But BYU was winning despite the defense, not because of the defense.
Everyone expected improvement on the defensive side with the hiring of Jay Hill. Hill has been one of the most respected coaches in the state for many years and his defenses at Weber State were always some of the best in the FCS. However, nobody expected such a quick turn around. The BYU-Arkansas game in 2022 was the beginning of the end for that defensive staff. The Cougars allowed 52 points and went 10 consecutive possessions without a defensive stop. Last week, the defense only allowed 21 of the 31 points that Arkansas scored. There were moments in that game where the defense dominated. In the first half, BYU got five consecutive stops that sparked a 21-0 run. In the second half, BYU got six consecutive stops during a 17-0 run that completed the comeback win.
The dominant defense is the reason why BYU was able to score 38 points last week despite tallying only 281 yards of offense. BYU's average starting field position was their own 39 yard-line.
It seems like the offense has struggled to rack up yards this season. Is that a worry or something that will iron itself out?
It feels like something that will iron itself out, but until it does, it's certainly cause for concern. BYU has fielded some of the best offenses in the country under offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. If you look at offensive efficiency metrics from 2020-2022, you'll probably find BYU in the top 15. History suggests BYU will figure it out. After all, they had enough short fields against Arkansas that they didn't need to rack up yards to score points.
The leading receiver for the Cougars is a TE. Is that by design or have the wide receivers struggled so far this season?
A little bit of both. On one hand, BYU has a really good tight end in Isaac Rex that could be in the NFL next year. Rex is all of 6'6 and he has excellent hands. Rex is tied for the most career touchdown receptions by a tight end in BYU history. If he scores a touchdown against Kansas, he will set the record. Rex was one of Zach Wilson's favorite targets when he was the quarterback at BYU. He suffered a devastating ankle injury in 2021 that limited his production in 2022. This year, he is healthy (and is playing without screws in his ankle for the first time in a few years) and looks more like his pre-injury self.
On the other hand, BYU needs more production from the wide receivers. The receivers have struggled to consistently get open against press-man coverage. They need to get more open, more consistently.
What worries you the most about the Kansas defense going into this matchup?
The speed and aggressiveness. If the BYU offensive line doesn't give Kedon Slovis time to throw, the style of Kansas' defense could force some mistakes.
What is the strongest and weakest part of this BYU defense?
The strength is the linebackers. BYU has three veteran linebackers in Ben Bywater, Max Tooley, and AJ Vongphachanh that have played really well this year. They are experienced, they are fast and they are disruptive.
The weakness is the safeties. BYU lost multiple safeties to injury during camp and another safety left the game against Arkansas. BYU will start two walk-ons at safety against Kansas - Tanner Wall and Ethan Slade. While those two walk-ons have played well in their opportunities, Kansas will probably test them in a way they haven't been tested this season.
With the Jayhawks averaging over 500 yards a game, what is going to be the key to slowing them down?
The key to slowing down Kansas will be to pressure and confuse Jalon Daniels. The Jay Hill defense, which is the same defense that has been successful at Utah for many years, gives quarterbacks a lot to think about. Stressing the quarterback is a calling card for this scheme.
BYU will bring some creative blitzes and give Daniels some unique looks. If BYU can get pressure with four down lineman like they did against Arkansas, they will give Kansas some problems. If they give Daniels time to throw, it could be a long day for the defense.
Let's have it. What does this game look like?
I'll be honest, I'm surprised the spread is as lopsided as it is. I expect this to be a close game. BYU's offense has been slowly getting better and better and this could be the game it comes together. If BYU can move the ball on the ground, I like their chances to pull off the upset. When BYU is balanced on offense, they are really hard to stop. If the running game is stagnant, it's hard to imagine a scenario where BYU can keep pace with the Kansas offensive attack.
I do expect BYU's defense to give Jalon Daniels a few problems. He is too good to be contained - he will certainly get his - but the BYU defense has created havoc every game this season. Don't be surprised if the BYU defense forces a few mistakes.
I think this is a one-score game in the fourth quarter. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will probably be the team that wins, especially if inclement weather is a factor.
I picked BYU to win this game in my weekly picks, although I've gone back and forth in the days since. I was impressed by BYU's resiliency against Arkansas (a game that I picked Arkansas to win) and I'm expecting a better output from the BYU offense. I think the BYU defense gets just enough stops to win - I think the first team to 35 wins this game.
That prediction comes with a caveat: what is the health status of Jalon Daniels? If Daniels is healthy and able to play like he did against Illinois, I like the Jayhawks to win. Whether it was admitted or not, Daniels didn't look like himself against Nevada. If that version of Daniels shows up on Saturday, I think BYU pulls off the upset.
