Kansas vs Fresno State Prediction and Betting Preview | NCAAF Week 0
After playing at soccer fields and NFL stadiums last year, Saturday’s Kansas vs Fresno State contest will be the first at newly-renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Can the Bulldogs spoil the Jayhawks’ welcome party in their new home?
Kansas vs Fresno State Preview
| Date and Time | August 23 at 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT |
| Point Spread | Kansas -12.5 |
| Total | 50.5 Points |
| Location | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium |
| TV | FOX |
| Forecast | Clear with Temps in the Low 60s |
Odds above courtesy of DraftKings as of August 20. Kansas went 5-7 straight-up and against the spread last season. The Jayhawks were 0-6 against the number to start the year before covering five of their last six games. Fresno State went 6-7 straight-up, 6-6-1 against the spread last season with an overtime loss to Northern Illinois in the Potato Bowl.
2024 Fresno State Bulldogs Stats
Strength of Schedule: No. 95 (courtesy of Jeff Sagarin)
Turnover Differential: +3 (No. 47 Nationally)
Plays per Game: 63.5 (No. 120)
Seconds per Play: 25.4 (No. 46)
Average Time of Possession: 27:30 (No. 117)
Fresno State on Offense
Yards per Game: 340.6 (No. 106)
Points per Game: 26.1 (No. 81)
Yards per Play: 5.43 (No. 91)
Offensive Success Rate: 38.2-percent (No. 116)
Explosive Plays (20+ Yards): 53 (No. 78)
Net EPA per Play: +0.01 (No. 74)
Fresno State on Defense
Yards per Game Allowed: 355.6 (No. 52)
Points per Game Allowed: 24.8 (No. 65)
Yards per Play Allowed: 4.90 (No. 19)
Defensive Success Rate: 38.9-percent (No. 44)
Explosive Plays Allowed (20+ Yards): 48 (No. 35)
2024 Kansas Jayhawks Stats
Strength of Schedule: No. 12 (courtesy of Jeff Sagarin)
Turnover Differential: Even (No. 61)
Plays per Game: 64.6 (No. 109)
Seconds per Play: 28.8 (No. 117)
Average Time of Possession: 31:04 (No. 38)
Kansas on Offense
Yards per Game: 420.2 (No. 37)
Points per Game: 29.7 (No. 52)
Yards per Play: 6.58 (No. 11)
Offensive Success Rate: 47.8-percent (No. 9)
Explosive Plays (20+ Yards): 65 (No. 38)
Net EPA per Play: +0.08 (No. 47)
Kansas on Defense
Yards per Game Allowed: 392.6 (No. 92)
Points per Game Allowed: 26.0 (No. 75)
Yards per Play Allowed: 6.10 (No. 105)
Defensive Success Rate: 44.4-percent (No. 112)
Explosive Plays Allowed (20+ Yards): 58 (No. 80)
Kansas vs Fresno State Prediction
Former North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz will take over the Bulldogs’ program, and he will be starting fresh on offense. Former Temple and Rice quarterback EJ Warner will lead an offense that is essentially starting from scratch.
The Bulldogs’ top three receivers from last year are all gone and Coach Entz has been tasked with rebuilding an offensive line that was one of the worst in the country last year. Fresno finished No. 116 in offensive success rate and No. 128 in rushing success rate last season.
Jayhawks’ head coach Lance Leipold is never eager to jump into a track meet with an opponent. Kansas averaged 28.8 seconds per play last season (No. 117) and generated 64.6 plays per game (No. 109).
Look for the Jayhawks defense to harass an inexperienced Bulldogs’ offensive line in a game played at a lethargic pace. Over the last two seasons, the under is 5-1 in Kansas’ non-conference games. UNDER 50.5
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