NB Jakob Robinson, BYU. After three straight years of regression, BYU's defense has perked up in a major way in 2024, jumping from 94th in defensive SP+ in 2023 to 38th early in 2024. The Cougars' pass defense — 13th in passing success rate allowed, 10th in yards per dropback, 28th in interception rate — is the driving factor, and Robinson is either first or tied for first on the team in havoc plays (7), interceptions (1), breakups (3), and forced fumbles and recovered fumbles (1 each). Opponents targeted him 13 times in the first three weeks, but he allowed only four completions for 20 yards in that span, and he was second on the team in tackles and forced a fumble in the upset of Kansas State. He's a do-it-all presence for what is quickly becoming a do-it-all secondary.



The five most surprising results

Here are the five results that were furthest away from their respective SP+ projections. Call them either surprises or bad projections, I guess.

1. BYU 38, Kansas State 9 (projection: K-State by 9.8). At one point in the third quarter in Provo, Utah, Kansas State had gained 264 yards to BYU's 162; the Wildcats were losing 31-6. In less than six minutes, BYU went on a 28-0 run driven by a fumble return score, two interceptions and a glorious, 90-yard Parker Kingston punt return. K-State imploded, and BYU moved to 4-0 by taking full advantage.