KU Jayhawks football vs. Missouri State: Prediction, time, TV info for season opener
The Kansas Jayhawks open their 132nd season on Friday against FCS Missouri State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
There’s a high level of optimism around the program after coach Lance Leipold led the Jayhawks (6-7, 3-6 Big 12 in 2022) to their first bowl game in 14 years.
Although KU was projected to finish ninth in the Big 12 media poll, KU players have much higher expectations, including, some say, winning a Big 12 title.
With that, the Jayhawks hope to begin the 2023 season on the right foot, with a win over the Bears in their FCS opener. KU defeated Missouri State 44-24 in 2002 and 24-10 a year prior in 2001.
For the third straight season, the Jayhawks will debut on a Friday night, with this year’s opener coming against first-year head coach Ryan Beard, the program’s youngest head coach in school history.
The Bears (5-6, 3-5 Missouri Valley) return eight starters from last season.
Game details
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1
Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence
TV: Big 12 NOW on ESPN+ (Online streaming service, subscription required)
Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City
Prediction
Although Missouri State is an FCS school, KU isn’t taking this game lightly. After all, Missouri State narrowly lost to Arkansas 38-27 last season after leading for much of the game.
“They’re going to come in here expecting to win, not (just) wanting to win,” coach Lance Leipold said. “They’re not going to flinch at an opportunity to play against a Power Five opponent.
“Year in and year out, that (Missouri Valley) conference seems to get a win against an FBS opponent. So, they have our respect.”
Still, this game shouldn’t be very close. Missouri State will probably play two different quarterbacks (Jordan Pachot and Jacob Clark), but that isn’t exactly new for Kansas’ defense.
KU defensive coordinator Brian Borland pointed out that his defense faces that in practice with Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels — an early Heisman candidate before an injury last season — and backup Jason Bean.
Conversely, the Bears will likely struggle to contain Daniels and KU’s offense. (And Beard expects KU to play both quarterbacks, for what it’s worth.)
“I think, again, when you face a team like this, when you’ve got the backup that does such a nice job, Jason Bean, you see him move on film and he’s just like another athlete on the field,” Beard told media members. “Why would you not utilize him? And again, put him in the slot and do variable motions with him. Do different things to where you create. … Lance and those guys do such a good job at Kansas. They’ll have a great plan.”
KU should cruise to victory over the Bears.
Prediction: Kansas 42, Missouri State 10
Betting line: TBD (Kansas 97.1% to win, ESPN analytics)
