Kansas football vs Lindenwood: Scouting report, prediction for Jayhawks’ season opener

LAWRENCE — Kansas football will look to open its 2024 season with a win Thursday, when it faces Lindenwood.

The No. 24 Jayhawks are undefeated in season openers since head coach Lance Leipold took over the program in 2021. When the game kicks off at Children’s Mercy Park, in Kansas City, Kansas, they’ll have a chance to continue that streak. They’ll be significant favorites over the FCS-level Lions, in part because KU is a Division I team at the FBS level with significant potential this fall.

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What does Kansas need to do to beat Lindenwood? What’s on the mind of the Jayhawks ’ players and coaches this week? Before the matchup is set to start at 7 p.m. (CT), check out this scouting report and prediction for the contest:

Lance Leipold shares his perspective

Leipold noted there is some bit of mystery with Lindenwood, because it’s not covered as heavily by the media as a program like Kansas. But that doesn’t mean the Jayhawks don’t know anything. For one, Leipold highlighted someone he referred to as an outstanding wide receiver.

Leipold didn’t name the player, but the Lions did have a wide receiver on the Big South-OVC Football Association’s preseason list of offensive players to watch. That would be junior Jeff Caldwell. Overall, Leipold wants both sides of the ball to get a feel for the game, the defense to not give up big plays and the offense to take care of the ball as it moves effectively.

Jeff Grimes highlights what Lindenwood brings defensively

Jeff Grimes, Kansas’ offensive coordinator/assistant head coach, described Lindenwood’s defense as sound. He said it has a clear philosophy of how it’ll be, and players who understand their scheme. Typically, from Grimes’ perspective, it’s harder to pull off big plays against defenses like that because players know what they are responsible for.

Grimes added the Lions have some big guys on the defensive line, especially at defensive tackle. Their linebackers are active and physical. The challenge, Grimes explained, is for the Jayhawks to show it can play its style of offense against an opponent in the first game of the season.

Brian Borland puts focus on Kansas’ defense

Brian Borland, Kansas’ defensive coordinator, said he’s prepared his players for the potential they’ll see things they haven’t prepared for. However, going against the Jayhawks’ offense as much as they do, he doesn’t know if there’s anything they’ll see that they haven’t before in some way. Overall, he put the focus on Kansas doing what it can defensively to give the team the best chance to win.

Kansas players mention what’s caught their attention

KU redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels said Lindenwood’s defense can run different coverages, and be creative with its defensive line to get into the backfield if the protection offensively isn’t completely focused.

KU senior wide receiver Lawrence Arnold said Lindenwood’s defensive line gets off the ball well. What the secondary does isn’t anything Arnold hasn’t seen, but he does like how the Lions’ players get into their Cover 3 and Cover 4 looks and how they disguise them.

KU senior defensive end Jereme Robinson said Lindenwood’s offense is going to try to get the ball on the perimeter and use its athletes.

Prediction: Kansas 51, Lindenwood 6

This is an opportunity for Kansas to start its 2024 campaign the right way, and win a game with ease that it’s expected to win with ease. The Jayhawks should establish themselves early, and take away any hope of an upset the Lions might have. It’s a valuable chance to get game experience for all the players involved, and especially those on offense who have been working with a new offensive coordinator all offseason.

Jordan Guskey covers the University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football vs Lindenwood: Scouting report, prediction for Jayhawks’ season opener