KU vs. Lindenwood Lions: Five things you should know about the Jayhawks’ first football game

The college football season has finally begun.

And the Kansas Jayhawks will play their season opener on Thursday against the Lindenwood Lions at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

KU was 9-4 last season and could be even better this year. For the first time since 2008, the Jayhawks finished in the top 25 in both major college football polls. The team’s goal is to win a Big 12 championship.

But Kansas coach Lance Leipold downplays the hype surrounding the Jayhawks.

“My goal is still for us to be better today than we were yesterday, and then the wins and the other things will come by themselves,” he said. “Winning a Big 12 championship, that’s actually a game that’s not even on the schedule, that you don’t earn. … I always try to stay away from that.”

“Are we in a position now to line up and do those things? Yes. … We have to go back and play and prove it, because if we don’t, we’re going to be disappointed.”

Here’s everything you need to know about this week’s opening game:

Game details for KU Football vs. Lindenwood

Start: 7pm Thursday, August 29

Where: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas.

TV: FS1 Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City

Early betting line: Kansas is the favorite with 44.5 points.

Five things you should know

1. Lindenwood hasn’t been a Division I football team for long. Two years ago, the Lions moved from Division II to Division I. Since then, it has been quite a struggle. Lindenwood finished 3-7 last year, including 1-5 (last place) in the Big South OVC

2. KU’s cornerbacks have to watch out for Lions WR Jeff Caldwell. He was named to the first team all-conference selection and led the league in touchdowns, with eight in just nine games. The junior was also one of five Lindenwood players selected by the league media as players to watch this season.

3. Expectations for the Lions are not high. League media also projected Lindenwood to finish eighth in the Big South OVC. Additionally, this matchup with the Jayhawks will be the program’s first game against an FBS opponent since the Lions moved to Division I.

4. Lions D-line star Kobe McClendon will test KU’s new O-line. Last season, McClendon was Lindenwood’s leading player with 6.5 sacks. He also had 32 tackles, including 9.5 for loss.

5. Lindenwood’s coach praises Leipold. Lindenwood coach Jed Stugart praised Leipold when this game was announced. Both have previously coached at the Division II level. “I have a lot of respect for coach Leipold and to see what he has done at Kansas is unbelievable,” he said. “Since we have been here at Lindenwood, we have had the mindset that we will play anyone, anywhere.”