Kansas Football: 2019 Season Preview
With the upcoming college football season rolling closer and closer, just how much improvement will Kansas see under new head coach Les Miles?
Wins have been few and far between for Kansas football, but the hiring of coach Les Miles is sure to change that, right? Despite the lackluster performance of the past years, the 2018 season showed some signs of life in the program.
The emergence of sophomore running back Pooka Williams Jr. last season gave the fanbase the most hope it has had in recent memory, along with a turnover-forcing defense in a conference that’s now known for its new “alternative defense,” thanks to Oklahoma.
Despite its still under-achieving record of 3-9, there were a few times Kansas had teams on the ropes, and a few times the Jayhawks should have won outright.
The game against Kansas State in Manhattan comes to mind, along with the embarrassing season opener loss to Nicholls State. Even in the loss at home vs Texas, it felt like Kansas just might pull it out.
Still though, against teams that the Jayhawks should not beat, even on their best day, the Jayhawks were competitive. Losing 22-38 to then-No. 9 West Virginia on the road, 17-24 against then-No. 9 Texas who would go on to beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl or even hanging 40 on then-No. 6 Oklahoma in a 40-55 loss.
While moral victories don’t show up in the win/loss column, the Jayhawks are proving that they aren’t a team to sleep on, especially with their new head coaching hire.
Miles is a national champion, two-time SEC champion and football coaching legend. Miles has Big 12 coaching experience; he rebuilt Oklahoma State back in the early 2000s, leading it to three consecutive bowl games including a Cotton Bowl appearance.
There hasn’t been a time in recent memory where fans have actually been excited about football season at the University of Kansas. Miles is a celebrity on campus, fans are locking in season tickets and the hype for the 2019 season is building.
Some are even calling for a six-win season and a bowl game appearance, the first since the 2008 team won the Insight Bowl under coach Mark Mangino. There are reasons to be excited, there’s optimism and then there’s wishful thinking.
While having a 6 win season would be amazing for the program, it’s an unrealistic goal in the first year of any coach at Kansas. Examining the schedule, there are some “should win” games and some “winnable” games.
8/31, Kansas vs. Indiana State
The season opener, this should be a definite win, but it will have to come without star running back Pooka Williams, who will be serving a one-game suspension. Should KU find a way to lose, it would certainly put a damper on all the excitement surrounding the program.
9/7, Kansas vs. Coastal Carolina
Another “should win” game, Coastal Carolina football made the jump to the FBS level a few years ago and are still finding its legs. The score shouldn’t be close, and should make the Jayhawks 2-0 on the year.
9/13, Kansas @ Boston College
Get out your ladders, mirrors and black cats, because it’s Friday the 13th and the Jayhawks are playing! This will be Kansas’ first road game and the first game vs a power-five team. The Eagles have a decent team every year, and this is one the Jayhawks lose by 14 or less.
9/21, Kansas vs. West Virginia
Kansas will open Big 12 play against West Virginia in a game that won’t be highly anticipated by too many fans. It should be though. The Mountaineers and Jayhawks both find themselves in uncertain waters with new coaching staffs. West Virginia also has to find a replacement for former quarterback Will Grier, which is not an easy find. This one could easily go either way.
9/28, Kansas @ TCU
TCU was Kansas’ only Big 12 victim last season in a thrilling 26-27 win in Lawrence. There’s a major quarterback battle brewing at TCU between Justin Rogers, Michael Collins, Max Duggan and Alex Delton. The Horned Frogs are hard to gauge at this point, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Kansas kept it close down the stretch.
10/5, Kansas vs. Oklahoma
There’s not a lot to say that isn’t already common knowledge about the Sooners. High-octane offense, not a good defense, kings of Big 12 football. This would be a tough one for Kansas, but if a miracle does happen, the goalposts will be in Potter Lake by 4:00 p.m.
10/19, Kansas @ Texas
Another tough one, Kansas does have the advantage of coming off a bye week. Despite this, there’s not a lot of hope in the Jayhawks for this one, and it likely won’t be close.
10/26, Kansas vs. Texas Tech
Similar to the Jayhawks, the Red Raiders are also under new leadership after the hiring of Matt Wells. Quarterback Alan Bowman is also set for a big year after being injured last season. Bowman led the Red Raiders to a 5-2 start including a 48-16 win last season over Kansas. This game will probably be high scoring, and it depends on if the Jayhawks can keep pace.
11/2, Kansas vs. Kansas State
The Sunflower Showdown will be a fun one this year with both teams having hired new head coaches. Last season, the Jayhawks lost a heart-breaker in Manhattan that easily could have been a win. Look for the Jayhawks to bounce back this year at home in a close win.
11/16, Kansas @ Oklahoma State
There may not have been a more inconsistent Big 12 team than Oklahoma State last season. Should that carry over, Kansas could capitalize on it and pick up a win against a solid opponent. However, with the game being in Stillwater, the chances of the Cowboys having an off day are low.
11/23, Kansas @ Iowa State
With Brock Purdy at quarterback, the Cyclones have arguably the second best offense in the conference behind Oklahoma. This game is another case of Kansas trying to keep pace and unless the Jayhawks develop an elite passing game and/or defense, this one probably won’t be close.
11/30, Kansas vs Baylor
Under head coach Matt Rhule, the Bears have made strides with a 7-6 finish last season. Baylor is still a mediocre team though, and if Kansas wants to climb out of the Big 12 basement, it needs wins against teams like Baylor.
Final predictions: 4-8 overall, 2-7 in conference