Lindenwood vs. Kansas prediction, odds, picks for the college football game of the week 1

The Lindenwood Lions (0-0) hit the road to face the No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks (0-0) to kick off the 2024 college football season. It's time to continue our college football odds series with a Lindenwood Kansas prediction and pick.

Here are the college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

College Football Odds: Lindenwood-Kansas Odds

Lindenwood: +44.5 (-105)

Moneyline: N/A

Kansas: -44.5 (-115)

Moneyline: N/A

Over: 58.5 (-112)

Under: 58.5 (-108)

How to watch Lindenwood vs. Kansas

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT

TV: ESPN+

Stream: fuboTV (Click here for a free trial)

Why Lindenwood could cover the spread/profit

Lindenwood is not going to win this game. However, they can still cover the spread. The spread is wide, so Lindenwood has a chance to not lose by that many points. In 2023, the Lions' widest deficit was 42 points. That's a lot of points, but if they lose by 42 in this game, that will be enough to cover the spread.

Lindenwood will have a little experience at its quarterback position. Carter Davis is expected to start, and he was able to get some playing time last season. Davis is still young, but he was able to start a game while backing up Cole Duggar in his other appearances. If he can just keep the ball on offense and make sure they dominate time of possession, Lindenwood will cover the spread.

Other notable returnees for the Lindenwood offense include Jeff Caldwell and Robert Giaimo. Caldwell is a 6'5″ wide receiver who led the team in receiving yards last season. With his big frame, Lindenwood's quarterbacks will always have someone to throw the ball to. Giaimo will be the team's primary running back this season. He averaged over 100 all-purpose yards per season and 5.4 yards per carry in 2023.

Why Kansas could cover/win the spread

Kansas is clearly the better team in this game. They are facing an FCS team that has lost its last four games of the 2023 season. Additionally, Lindenwood is still in its first few years in the big leagues and is therefore still trying to find its footing. Kansas should have no problem moving the ball forward and scoring a lot of points. That is exactly what the Jayhawks will need to do if they want to win this game.

Thankfully, Jalon Daniels is returning to Kansas. He is a very good quarterback and had Kansas going in 2022 before he got hurt. An injury also shortened his 2023 season. However, a healthy Jalon Daniels puts Kansas in position to be a top-25 football team all season. His ability to find the receiver and move the pocket while using his legs when necessary makes him one of the better quarterbacks in the conference. If he has a good game, the Jayhawks will absolutely blow Lindenwood away.

Devin Neal is another returner for the Jayhawks offense and forces teams to worry about running. He is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, scoring 15 touchdowns. He is a tough downhill runner and we can expect another great season from him. Kansas will get a big lead early and expect Neal to be a big part of that. With him and Daniels, there is no reason Kansas can't cover that spread.

Final Lindenwood Kansas Prediction and Pick

Don't think too much about this game. Kansas is by far the better team and should beat Lindenwood easily. I'm tipping them to cover the spread.

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Final Lindenwood Kansas Prediction and Pick: Kansas -44.5 (-115)