No. 8 BYU (8-0) vs. North Alabama (0-3)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 1 p.m. MST
- Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium (only players’ and coaches’ families permitted to attend)
- Surface: Natural grass
- TV: BYUtv
- Livestream: BYUtv/WatchESPN
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM
- Series: First meeting
- Weather: Sunny with temperatures in the mid 40s at kickoff.
THE STAKES
For North Alabama … The Lions, who chose to play this fall while most of the FCS is waiting until spring time, are looking for positives to build on going forward.
For BYU … Making a strong impression this week won’t happen playing against an FCS program. For the Cougars, it’s about winning convincingly and staying healthy.
THE TRENDS
For North Alabama … The Lions have lost their three previous games this season, including a 28-7 season-opening loss to Liberty, who’s now ranked No. 21 in the Associated Press poll.
For BYU … The Cougars are 8-0 for the fourth time in school history, winning by an average of 32.9 points per game.
THE CRYSTAL BALL
North Alabama will win if … the Cougars become extremely mistake-prone, an unlikely scenario given BYU is top 10 at the FBS level in both total offense and total defense.
BYU will win if … the Cougars take control early and are efficient on both sides of the ball, like they have been in staying unbeaten in 2020.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Christon Taylor, North Alabama linebacker: The junior is tied for the team lead with 23 tackles this season, leads the Lions with 4.5 tackles for loss and is one of two North Alabama players with a sack.
KEY MATCHUP
BYU rushing attack vs. North Alabama’s front seven: The Lions are giving up an average of 213.3 rushing yards per game this season. BYU is averaging 192.9 yards on the ground, led by Tyler Allgeier, who has rushed for 710 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020.
QUOTABLE
“This will be the best football team that any UNA team has faced in the history of the program, hands down. This will be a tremendous challenge for our guys in all phases of the game.”
— North Alabama coach Chris Willis
“I see some of the things that Chris Willis is doing as a head coach. I know they’re 0-3, but if you look at what they’ve done and you watch the film like I have on all three phases, he prepares his guys the right way.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake
NEXT UP
BYU hosts San Diego State on Dec. 12; North Alabama’s season is over.
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 — BYU 52, Texas State 14
Oct. 31 — BYU 41, Western Kentucky 10
Nov. 6 — BYU 51, Boise State 17
Nov. 21 — North Alabama (1 p.m., BYUtv)
Dec. 12 — San Diego State (TBA, TBA)
All times MT