This morning, David Cobb of CBS Sports embarked on an interesting journey, going state-by-state and selecting the best college football team heading into the 2025 season.
Some selections were easier while others required much more thought from Cobb, yet when Kansas came around, it was felt there was only going to be one winner.
"Kansas State: Kansas State extended its Sunflower Showdown win streak to 16 with a dramatic 29-27 win over KU last season. It was part of a third consecutive 9-plus win season for the Wildcats, who remain one step ahead of their in-state rival. Kansas is miles ahead of where it was before fourth-year coach Lance Leipold's arrival, but leapfrogging K-State remains a challenge."
Earlier today, the inaugural AP top-25 poll was released for the preseason, and it only affirmed Cobb, as Kansas State was touted as the 17th-best team in the nation, while Kansas did not receive a single vote.
Final Thoughts
Even the most optimistic Jayhawk fans can likely agree this is the consensus. While the last two Sunflower Showdowns have been on a knife's edge, the Jayhawks haven't won the contest since 2008. The Wildcats have rung in four-straight winning seasons, and five of head coach Chris Klieman's first six years as a Wildcat have seen Kansas State pose at least eight wins.
As the article mentioned, Kansas is ahead of the curve on a typical rebuild. Last week, we profiled OPTA, giving the Jayhawks the highest amount of expected wins.
The biggest thing Kansas can do to flip the script? This feels a little too easy, win the Sunflower Showdown.
In one of the latter episodes of Netflix's "Any Given Saturday," a large part is spent covering the Egg Bowl between Mississippi State and Ole Miss from last season. One of the biggest things echoed time and time again was how Mississippi State would do anything to beat Ole Miss and how any bad season they may have had would be wiped away with a win against the Rebels.
How much do Kansas fans agree with that? Would Kansas fans take a 6-6 season at best, if it means a Sunflower Showdown victory?