Kansas football will host FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff show this weekend, marking the second season in a row that a prestigious pregame show will be held in Lawrence.
The Kansas Jayhawks will look to right their mistakes against No. 6 Oklahoma following a disappointing loss to the Sooners’ rival up north. But when Lance Leipold and Co. take the field in Lawrence, Kansas, this Saturday, the Jayhawks will be playing on the biggest stage they have this year.
For the first time in school history, Kansas football will host Big Noon Kickoff on FOX Network for their 11:00 a.m. CT contest. Analysts and former players on the show include Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, and Mark Ingram. Last season, KU held ESPN’s College GameDay for the first time in a narrow loss to TCU.
Considering Kansas had never hosted a pregame show prior to the Lance Leipold era, this goes to show how far he has taken the program in less than three years. KU continues to receive recognition on a national scale.
There is plenty at stake when Oklahoma enters David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Sooners will try to maintain their undefeated record and take a step closer to a Big 12 regular season title, while the Jayhawks are looking to rebound from their previous defeat and potentially end OU’s College Football Playoff hopes.
The last time Oklahoma competed in The Booth, Kansas nearly upset them in Leipold’s opening season in Lawrence. They were once down 17-7 to KU, but a late push by the Sooners and a 4th down conversion by 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams — which, might I add, shattered my heart into a million pieces — propelled the Sooners to victory.
"It's legal. It was behind the line of scrimmage. It may be the smartest play I've ever seen by a player, and he's a freshman."@MikePereira and @DeanBlandino react to THAT play by @OU_Football's Caleb Williams against Kansas ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XazrsJpuY0
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 25, 2021
OU has been dominant this season, even defeating top-10-ranked Texas in Austin for the Red River Rivalry. However, they struggled last week as they barely got past UCF, a team Kansas drubbed 51-22.
Kansas football has been unable to take down Oklahoma since 1997, losing their last 18 meetings. It would only be fitting to send them off to the SEC with the biggest upset win in KU history.