Last year, the season didn't exactly go to plan for Lance Leipold and the Kansas Jayhawks. This year, the once-powerhouse-adjacent Big 12 program looks to return as one of the top dogs in the conference.
With starting quarterback Jalon Daniels returning for another season, alongside an impressive transfer portal class, the Jayhawks are set up for success. However, it doesn't hurt to have a few easy matchups in conference play.
As the season rapidly approaches, Kansas fans can circle these three games as creampuff matchups, which should make the Jayhawks' journey to a Big 12 Championship a lot easier.
A lot of people forget that the Cincinnati Bearcats are in the Big 12, despite joining the conference three years ago.
There is a reason for that. Since joining the Big 12, the Bearcats have gone 8-16, a far cry from a notable record in a conference that has had to fight for its spot as a Power Conference. As a home game for the Jayhawks, Kansas shouldn't need to worry about blowing past its second conference opponent of the season.
The UCF Knights had a good shot at glory a few years ago. However, that was a few years ago, and since then, the Knights haven't been anything of note in the Big 12.
Scott Frost, who returned to UCF as the Knights' head coach after last season, led the program to its only undefeated season in program history. That is far from possible in 2025. While the game will kick off in Orlando, the away game shouldn't intimidate the Jayhawks at all.
Cam Rising, who was seemingly on the Utah Utes roster for the last decade, finally decided to hang up his cleats and call it quits on his collegiate career.
Now, the Utah offense is extremely young, despite Isaac Wilson earning the starting role last season. With the game being the final regular-season game of the year and it taking place in Lawrence, the Jayhawks should be able to dominate the Utes.