Week 1: Kansas vs Tennessee Tech 9/2/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Kansas Jayhawks and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles do battle Friday night in week 1 of college football action at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles have nowhere to go but up after a 3-8 season. The Kansas Jayhawks won 2 games last year and enter the second season under coach Lance Leipold.

The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles averaged 18.4 points and 301.3 yards per game last season. Tennessee Tech allowed an average of 31.8 points and 365.8 yards per game last season. Willie Miller returns at quarterback after throwing for 600 yards, 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Quinton Cross and David Gist are a returning receiving duo that combined 700 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Colton Dooley had 40 rushing yards on 11 carries. Defensively, Josh Reliford returns after leading Tennessee Tech with 69 tackles, Devin Squires had 2.5 sacks and Seth Carlisle had 1 interception. The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles return enough production on offense for them to improve on what was a struggling season. Tennessee Tech is still a fairly young roster, and it’s won a combined 5 games in the last 2 years. It’s a wait and see approach with the Golden Eagles.

The Kansas Jayhawks averaged 20.8 points and 324.2 yards per game last season. Kansas allowed an average of 42.2 points and 486.3 yards per game last season. Jason Bean returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,200 yards, 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Trevor Wilson and Luke Grimm are a returning receiving duo that combined 700 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Devin Neal led the Jayhawks with 700 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, Kenny Logan Jr. returns after leading Kansas with 111 tackles, Zion DeBose had 1.5 sacks and Jacobee Bryant had 2 interceptions. The Kansas Jayhawks were a very young team last season, and they bring back oodles of their key production on both sides of the ball. Will that lead to more success finally for Kansas? Time will tell. However, the Jayhawks have talent and Leipold is a good coach. This could be a season where Kansas earns some respect.

The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles has done little to nothing these last couple of years, and they’re still a fairly young roster. It’s likely going to be another rough year for the Golden Eagles. The Kansas Jayhawks still don’t get much respect nationally, but they’ve improved these last two seasons, and they’re heading in the right direction. Kansas still has a ways to go, but this isn’t the same punching bag from years ago. I expect Kansas to have a field day in this contest.