How far can Les Miles take Kansas football this season?

After an impressive turnaround last week, Les Miles has the Jayhawks looking like they might finally climb out of the Big 12 basement. How far can the national championship-winning coach take Kansas football in his first season?

The Jayhawks are coming and they proved it last week over Boston College, doubling up the Eagles in a 48-24 win. Kansas is heading into conference play looking to make another statement, this time against the Mountaineers on Saturday at 3:30. If Les Miles can continue to coach Kansas football to wins, he might be the hero Lawrence needs.

For the Jayhawks, a 2-1 start isn’t too shabby at all. Les Miles has met expectations so far in terms of wins and losses, but can the success be sustained heading into the slate of Big 12 games this season?

Kansas’ next game against West Virginia should be telling of what fans can expect from the team. If the Jayhawks win in a fashion similar to the Boston College game, it isn’t crazy to expect around five wins from this team. However, a close game may indicate that Kansas shouldn’t expect too many more wins this season.

Ultimately, if the Jayhawks revert to their old ways, it may be a two or three-win season at best. West Virginia isn’t a good team, and if Kansas can’t hang with them the rest of the season may not be as fun as last week.

Still, Les Miles has shown that he still has the ability to rally the troops and win football games. That skill is going to be invaluable if he truly wants to bring Kansas football back to relevancy in college football. The road ahead is less than easy, and many coaches have tried and failed to create a winning culture in Lawrence.

Somehow, Les Miles just seems different; only time will tell if he really is though. There’s lots of football left to be played this season, and this team has already shown the massive improvements that can be made between games.

You can catch the Jayhawks game against West Virginia at 3:30 on ESPN+.