The Kansas Jayhawks need to improve upon their last season after finishing 10th in the Big 12 with a 5-7 overall record. Now, head coach Lance Leipold and his team hope to turn things around as the 2025 season rapidly approaches, but there are a few games that will be more difficult to surmount than others.
In non-conference play, the Jayhawks will face the Fresno State Bulldogs, the Wagner Seahawks, and the Missouri Tigers. Then, their semi-usual Big 12 slate of games will kick off with a home game against the West Virginia Mountaineers.
With all of that in mind, Kansas needs to finish with at least a winning record for people to regain an ounce of respect for Leipold's program. Here are game-by-game predictions, including the three games that Jayhawks fans will want to circle as must-win games, for the Jayhawks' season.
The Jayhawks' season opener will be one of their easier games of the season as they face the Fresno State Bulldogs in Lawrence. Expect Leipold and returning starting quarterback Jalon Daniels to come out swinging against the Bulldogs as they look to make a statement in Game No. 1 of the year.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 1-0
Kansas will face the Wagner Seahawks in its second game and second at-home matchup of the year. This game should be an even easier victory for the Jayhawks as they face a team that plays in Division I FCS football.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 2-0
Missouri will be the first blip on Kansas' overall record as the Tigers host the Jayhawks in their final non-conference game of the season. Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri's head coach, will use the game as the Tigers' launchpad into SEC play, and that may result in the Jayhawks flying home with a few bruises.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 2-1
Kansas will return home to host the West Virginia Mountaineers in the two teams' first Big 12 game of the regular season. Leipold needs to use this to start his team off on the right foot in conference play and should be able to pull off the victory, even if it's a close one.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 3-1
The game against the Cincinnati Bearcats could be Kansas's first double-digit win over a conference opponent of the year as the Jayhawks look to improve to 3-1 on the season. With the win, if they can pull it off, Kansas would improve to 2-0 in conference play.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 4-1
The UCF Knights have had a fall from grace since entering the Big 12, and the same will most likely be true for that team in 2025. Kansas should be able to fly into Orlando and fly home with its third conference win of the year.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 5-1
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Texas Tech is set up for a lot of success over the next few years after the Red Raiders' head coach, Joey McGuire, just finished recruiting one of the best transfer portal classes in the country. With the game taking place in Lubbock, the Raiders have an advantage and will likely hand the Jayhawks their second loss of the year.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 5-2
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Even with Kansas State's surprising amount of success last season, the Wildcats shouldn't create too big of a hurdle for the Jayhawks this season. The game is in Lawrence this year, and the home-field advantage should give Kansas the advantage over its in-state rival.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 6-2
Mike Gundy has lost his grip on Big 12 football, which is good news for the Jayhawks, after playing in the conference championship game just two seasons ago. This year, Kansas should be able to breeze by the Oklahoma State Cowboys for their fifth Big 12 win of the season.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 7-2
The Arizona Wildcats were wildly underwhelming last season, and that might be even more true in 2025. When the Jayhawks come to town, Kansas should easily be able to walk away with a win, improving their overall record to 8-2, a massive improvement upon last year.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 8-2
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Iowa State is consistently a dark horse in the Big 12, upsetting top teams and ruining Cinderella runs during the regular season. Especially because the game is on the road for Kansas, the Jayhawks might need to brace themselves for their second loss in conference play.
Kansas Jayhawks football record: 8-3
Last but certainly not least, the Jayhawks will face the Utah Utes in the final game of the regular season. With former long-term Utah quarterback Cam Rising finally leaving the program, Utah will be in yet another year of uncertainty, and Kansas will have a great opportunity to finish the year with a 9-3 overall record.