Texas State (1-5) at No. 12 BYU (5-0)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
- Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium (6,000 fans allowed)
- Surface: Natural grass
- TV: ESPN
- Livestream: WatchESPN
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM
- Series: First meeting
- Weather: Partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 40s at kickoff
THE STAKES
For Texas State … The Bobcats are looking to spring an improbable upset of a top-12 team on the road. Texas State is a 30-point underdog.
For BYU … Fresh off an impressive, come-from-behind win at Houston, the Cougars are looking to extend their undefeated season and preserve their No. 12 ranking. It marks the first time this season that LaVell Edwards Stadium will permit a limited number of fans with approximately 6,000 being allowed inside.
THE TRENDS
For Texas State … The Bobcats and Cougars have one common opponent — UTSA. BYU edged the Roadrunners at home, 27-20, two weeks ago. Texas State lost at home to UTSA on Sept. 12, 51-48. This is the Bobcats’ fifth straight road game.
For BYU … The Cougars are No. 6 nationally in scoring offense, averaging 43.6 points per game. BYU is ranked No. 6 in total offense (541.0), No. 1 in completion percentage (78.2%), No. 2 in yards per play (7.86) and yards per attempt (12.1), No. 3 in pass efficiency (204.84), total first downs (131) and total passing yards (1,768).
THE CRYSTAL BALL
Texas State will win if … The Cougars start Zac Dawe, instead of Zach Wilson, at quarterback and the Bobcats force a plethora of turnovers and punts.
BYU will win if … The Cougars get off to a fast start and continue to make big plays through the air.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brady McBride, Texas State quarterback: The sophomore has completed 83 of 136 passes for 809 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Texas State wide receiver Marcell Barbee (18) celebrates his touchdown with teammates, including quarterback Brady McBride (2), during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Boston.
Michael Dwyer, Associated Press
KEY MATCHUP
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson vs. Texas State’s secondary: Wilson is receiving considerable Heisman Trophy hype. He’s thrown for 1,641 yards with 12 touchdowns and only one interception this season. He leads the nation in completion percentage (78.7%).
QUOTABLE
“We’re not good enough yet to overcome a lot of mistakes. Right now, we’re still in that struggle where our room for error is pretty small.”
— Texas State coach Jake Spavital
“We love our fans. We appreciate our fans so much and we look forward to having them there … That’s what I expect from those 6,000. They’re going to have to make a lot of noise for 60,000. I think there are a lot of men, women and children in that group of 6,000 that are going to make enough noise for the rest. The others that can’t be to be in the stadium are going to count on them doing it.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake
NEXT UP
BYU hosts Western Kentucky Oct. 31; Texas State hosts Louisiana Oct 31.
BYU SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 — BYU 55, Navy 3
Sept. 19 — at Army (POSTPONED)
Sept. 26 — BYU 48, Troy 7
Oct. 2 — BYU 45, Louisiana Tech 14
Oct. 10 — BYU 27, UTSA 20
Oct. 16 — BYU 43, Houston 26
Oct. 24 — Texas State (8:15 p.m., ESPN)
Oct. 31 — Western Kentucky (8:15, ESPN)
Nov. 6 — at Boise State (7:45 p.m., FS1)
Nov. 21 — Northern Alabama (TBA, TBA)
Dec. 12 — San Diego State (TBA, TBA)
All times MT