LAWRENCE -- With Saturday's 5:30 p.m. (CT) game in Lawrence, Kansas football will kick off its 2025 season against Fresno State.
The non-conference matchup will be the first played in a new-look David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which the Jayhawks played away from in 2024 due to construction. KU will hope a return there will help the team bounce back from a 5-7 effort last season that saw it not reach a bowl game. Fresno State did reach a bowl game last season, but a new head coach this year in Matt Entz could make the Bulldogs harder to prepare for.
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold noted earlier this week he's told his players he thinks they have a chance to be really good; it's just about going out and proving it against someone else. He praised how coachable everyone's been, and once again highlighted how well the Jayhawks' newcomers have acclimated to the program.
RELATED: Analyzing Kansas football's roster before 2025 season opener vs Fresno State at home
Prior to the beginning of the matchup, here's a scouting report and prediction.
Leipold detailed studying for this matchup has involved watching some Fresno State tape from last year because the special teams coordinator is the same guy. There's also an effort to look at the personnel on the squad, whether they're a returning talent or newcomer -- either from high school or another college.
The Jayhawks are also aware the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator came from Northern Illinois, and the offensive coordinator is from South Dakota. Entz was also on the defensive side of the ball as an assistant at USC following a successful run as the head coach at North Dakota State, so there could be some knowledge to be gleaned there.
Regarding E.J. Warner, Fresno State's anticipated starting quarterback, Leipold highlighted the senior's collegiate experience in different programs. Listed at 6-foot, Warner might not be the tallest, but Leipold made sure to note that doesn't take away from how productive he's been at past stops and that he has a good arm and quality pocket awareness.
Jayhawks offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski highlighted Northern Illinois' win against Notre Dame in 2024 as one example of what Fresno State's defense could be capable of. It's not about being prepared for everything, it's about trying to create a base of knowledge to draw from.
Jayhawks defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald praised Entz's history as a coach, noting how physical Entz's teams play. Considering Warner's experience, it could be a challenge to confuse him, and that's in part why McDonald wants to be able to get pressure on him. When it comes to stopping the Bulldogs, McDonald anticipates needing to adjust on the fly to some degree.
Kansas redshirt senior offensive lineman Bryce Foster expects a high-energy opponent that'll be talented up front. Considering how many newcomers there are, though, studying film on them ahead of the opener has been a bit of a challenge.
Kansas senior defensive end Justice Finkley anticipates facing a team with a good running game. However, because of all the work he's seen his teammates put in in the weeks prior to even game week, he also thinks they are ahead of schedule when it comes to their level of preparation.
Kansas redshirt senior quarterback Jalon Daniels thinks the various looks the Jayhawks' own defense showed during offseason will help ensure not everything that happens on game day will look brand new. He also expressed confidence in Zebrowski being able to adjust on the fly.
Kansas has built up momentum over the offseason as it looks celebrate playing home games in Lawrence again, especially given how much the Jayhawks like how the stadium looks. Fresno State has the potential to be a challenging opponent, and not just because it's unclear exactly what KU should prepare for. But Leipold and his coaching staff should have their squad ready to go.
Prediction: Kansas 38, Fresno State 20.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association's sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.