Following Big 12 Media Days last week, you wouldn’t be in the wrong to say you had felt slightly optimistic about Kansas’ chances next season. Now no one is expecting Kansas to make a surprise run to the Big 12 Championship; of course, most likely “optimistic” means a 7-5 ceiling. Maybe it was just being able to see some of the players get in front of the media, or seeing Lance Leipold front and center, but it felt as if there was some reason for excitement.
That all existed until CBS Sports released its Big 12 game-by-game predictions. Something that could very easily send Kansas fans into a spiral.
Now, Through The Phog already published an article like this earlier this offseason, where we broke down Kansas’ games into three tiers, and, to be honest, it wasn’t an outstanding outlook. In that article, we nailed down five different games that could have been considered as “coin flips.” We also established that it would be nigh-on impossible for KU to go 5-0 during that stretch and that a 1-4, 2-3 or best-case 3-2 record was the more reasonable.
CBS Sports took the brutal approach towards it in their game-by-game piece
Brad Crawford of CBS Sports tallied a 3-9 record for the Jayhawks next Fall.
“That momentum Lance Leipold had after winning nine games and finishing in the top 25 in 2023 feels like it was so long ago, but it's important to note that he has raised the floor in Lawrence. The Jayhawks beat three ranked opponents in 2024 and got off to a 4-2 start last fall before capsizing down the stretch.”
Kansas fans are all too familiar with fourth-quarter collapses, something Leipold addressed during media days.
“The swing games this season come early -- the rivalry matchup with Missouri and the showdown with Arizona State across the pond. Losing both of those could spell doom. The biggest worry is the lack of returning starters after losing several veterans who made a notable impact on the program.”
Crawford is right to point out a transfer-heavy squad that is set to reel in 30 new Jayhawks. While there are some exciting names tipped to join the roster, like Dylan Edwards and Nik McMillan, there is no telling how long it would take for this iteration to gel.
Crawford expects Kansas to take down LIU (H), Middle Tennessee (H) and UCF (H). Meaning losses will come against Missouri (H), Arizona State (N), Utah (A), Kansas State (A), Baylor (H), TCU (A), West Virginia (A), BYU (H) and Oklahoma State (A).
This would by far be the most disappointing season in Leipold’s tenure, but it still does feel a little harsh in all honesty. While on the field, sure, there are questions that need to be answered; off the field, bringing back Andy Kotelnicki to call the offense and the natural progression defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald should bring in year two should certainly provide more than three wins, even if it is in a tricky Big 12 schedule.
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