Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SAN ANTONIO — No. 17 BYU capped off the year with a gritty 30-18 win over Houston, reaching double-digit wins for the third time in the Kalani Sitake era.
The Cougars were rewarded with a matchup with in-conference foe, No. 23 Colorado, in the Alamo Bowl.
Due to the Pac-12's previously-signed bowl agreements, each former Pac-12 team not in the playoff were slated in bowls with contractual ties to the conference, thus creating a matchup between two current Big 12 teams.
What do the Cougars need to do to take down the Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl as 3.5-point underdogs?
Prepare for a high-scoring affair
The Buffaloes have scored 31 or more points in eight of their nine wins this season, with the latest coming in a 52-0 blowout over Oklahoma State.
The Buffaloes are 21st in the country in scoring offense this season, averaging 34.5 points per contest. This is due in part to the high number of offensive weapons Colorado has — Shedeur Sanders, LaJohntay Wester, and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Sanders and Hunter are likely going to be top-10 picks in the NFL draft in April, with the duo connecting for over 1,150 yards and 14 touchdowns.
BYU has had a few high scoring games this year — a 34-28 win over Baylor and 38-35 win over Oklahoma State come to mind — but this will be, arguably, the best offense BYU has seen this season. The Cougars will need to match the offensive output the Buffaloes bring.
Get to the QB
Sanders has been sacked 38 times this season, which is the fourth most in FBS this season. Last year, Sanders was the most sacked quarterback with 52 sacks in a season.
BYU had one of the lowest sack totals in college football this season at 16; but despite the low sack total, they have the third-best rating for opposing quarterbacks at 102.7 (Texas has the best at 96.9).
BYU has done well this season at limiting quarterback output, holding Kevin Jennings to 140 passing yards on sub-50% passing, forcing two picks on Avery Johnson, and three on Noah Fifita.
Getting to Sanders will limit the damage the high-powered Colorado offense can muster and give the Cougars a chance to stack a lead.
Win the turnover battle
While it sounds cliche, the turnover battle will be pivotal for BYU.
Sanders has thrown just eight interceptions this year, but BYU ranks No. 1 in the country with 20 interceptions. The Cougars have thrown 11 team interceptions this year, 10 by Retzlaff. BYU will be without Crew Wakley — who is third on the team in interceptions — since he entered the transfer portal and will not be with the Cougars.
BYU's two losses this season came at the hands of turnovers, with Retzlaff throwing an interception on the 5-yard line against Kansas before halftime, and essentially a game-losing interception on the 39-yard line at Arizona State with two minutes left to play.
If BYU can win the turnover battle, as they have for most of the season, it will give them a much better chance to prevail over Colorado.
The Cougars and Buffaloes will kickoff Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST on ABC in what is anticipated to be one of the best non-playoff bowl games this season. Retzlaff dubbed it "the people's Big 12 Championship" during the media portion ahead of the game.
"I think it's the People's Big 12 Championship, personally."
— Sean Walker (@ActuallyDSW) December 26, 2024
BYU QB Jake Retzlaff and No. 17 BYU aren't lacking for motivation ahead of Saturday's Alamo Bowl against No. 23 Colorado (5:30 p.m. MT, ABC). pic.twitter.com/YqLUYUmK71
