Kansas football: 5 essential keys to victory against BYU Cougars

Kansas football: 5 essential keys to victory against the BYU Cougars

Sep 16, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; BYU Cougars wide receiver Hobbs Nyberg (23) celebrates with cornerback Eddie Heckard (5) after Heckard forced a turnover during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. BYU won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

Sep 16, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; BYU Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) catches a pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. BYU won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Limiting chances in the red zone

Statistically speaking, BYU has had the best red zone offense in all of college football this season. The Cougars have scored on all ten of their chances inside the 20-yard line, nine of which have been touchdowns. That’s good for the third-best red zone touchdown percentage in the nation.

Those numbers aren’t good news for the Kansas football defense, which is tied for the nation’s worst red zone defense. They’ve allowed their opponents to score on all nine red zone trips, only forcing two field goals while surrendering seven touchdowns. Unless something changes this Saturday, it seems like an automatic lock for BYU to score a few times in deep Kansas territory.

If the Jayhawks wind up winning the turnover battle or keep the Cougars out of the red zone most of the game, this might not make a difference in the outcome. But the BYU offense is good enough to wreak some havoc on the defensive end.

Home/Kansas Jayhawks Football