LIU at Kansas

Kansas comes off a 5-7 season under Lance Leipold in which the defense gave up nearly 27 points a game, not the profile of a unit that shuts anybody down, and tonight it opens at home against an FCS opponent in Long Island University that it should handle without much trouble. The concern with a mismatch like this is usually that the favorite scores fast and the game turns into a clock-killing exercise, but Leipold's offense has leaned pass-heavy and tempo-driven throughout his tenure, a style that tends to keep piling up plays and points even once backups take over. Long Island managed just over 16 points a game a year ago at the FCS level, modest production, but Kansas' defense wasn't stingy enough last season to assume it slams the door on a team simply trying to move the chains in garbage time. Season openers against overmatched opponents have a track record of running up the score rather than staying conservative, particularly for a staff that wants new pieces getting real reps before conference play starts. The math here favors points piling up from both directions rather than a lid getting put on this one early. I'm on the OVER.