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Liu vs Kansas game

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The gist

Kansas hosts LIU in season opener Friday 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Jayhawks favored by 41.5 points as new QB Isaiah Marshall debuts.

Background

Kansas football opens its 2026 season at home against LIU, a FCS opponent. The Jayhawks finished 5-7 in 2025 and missed a bowl game, while LIU lost 42-21 to North Dakota in its opener. This is the first-ever meeting between the programs.

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 27, 2026LIU lost 42-21 at North Dakota, trailing 42-0 at halftime before a second-half rally.
  2. Sep 3, 2026Kansas named redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall starting quarterback over Cole Ballard.
  3. Sep 4, 2026Game day: Kansas hosts LIU at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, kickoff 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Who’s saying what

Analysts
Kansas is a heavy favorite, with predictions of a lopsided win (e.g., 52-3 or 52-10).
Bears
Some question Kansas head coach Lance Leipold's future after a 27-35 record and only one winning season in five years.

Still unverified

No unverified information.

Sources

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