Next season is an interesting one for the Kansas Jayhawks.
There is talent that was recently added through the NCAA Transfer Portal, development of the team’s younger core and the rehiring of Andy Kotelnicki. There are also still too many questions to answer.
How will essentially an entire new offense develop? Will Kansas improve their run defense and get to the quarterback more? Will the Jayhawks get out of first gear in the fourth quarter? While these may feel harsh, there are certain scenarios in every loss KU faced last season where these questions caused losses.
BetMGM releases Kansas’ win totals in what will be a razor-thin schedule
Listed below is Kansas’ schedule and current Big 12 win totals according to BetMGM
September 4th: Long Island University (H)
September 11th: Missouri (H)
September 19th: Arizona State (H)*
October 3rd: Middle Tennessee (H)
October 10th: Utah (A)
October 17th: Kansas State (A)
October 24th: Baylor (H)
October 31st: Texas Christian University (A)
November 7th: University of Central Florida (H)
November 14th: West Virginia University (A)
November 21st: Brigham Young University (H)
November 28th: Oklahoma State (A)
* Denotes Union Jack Classic played at Wembley Stadium
NEW: 2026 College Football Big 12 Win Totals via @BetMGM‼️
— On3 (@On3) June 19, 2026
Who do you like?https://t.co/MMsVvHgZsw pic.twitter.com/ZQE8R0Ls52
Many power-conference colleges would take a look at this schedule and feel as if they got the short end of the stick. Today’s task is to break down where Kansas may struggle vs where they may flourish.
Kansas must win the out-of-conference slate
LIU and Middle Tennessee feel like wins. Last year’s barnburner against Missouri really was a coin flip until a rushing touchdown in the dying embers sealed the result, so right now that leans more like a loss, but it could flip.
The Jayhawks have to find the sleeper wins
UCF leans towards a win for KU, so we move the total up to three. Dave Aranda could very easily be on the hot seat at that point if things don’t start off extraordinarily well so that pushes the total to four. TCU, WVU, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State are all such toss-ups.
According to Bill Connelly’s SP+ projections, Kansas State, TCU and Oklahoma State are all well ahead of Kansas’ No. 59 projection; only WVU is currently behind them at No. 66, so you can add a win over the Mountaineers, bringing that total to five.
This means Kansas would have to win against either Missouri, Arizona State, Utah, Kansas State, TCU, BYU or Oklahoma State to get that elusive sixth win.
Mizzou, Utah, and BYU feel the most unlikely.
Arizona State, being played at a neutral ground with a big-time quarterback change, presents an opportunity.
TCU being away from home hurts Kansas’ chances.
Playing the Wildcats under a new head coach feels like KU may have the edge in that aspect, despite probably losing the talent game.
Lastly, Oklahoma State could very easily be a boom-or-bust team. While Eric Morris has done a tremendous job so far, the bar literally could not be any lower from last season. Maybe by the end of the season the Cowboys are cruising and will push past KU, or if they are sputtering, it could present a big chance for Kansas’ first bowl game in three seasons.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
More Kansas Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google