Nobody expected Kansas football to be where it is right now at the season's midpoint. Needless to say, it has been an ugly first six contests by Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks. The team is riding a five-game losing streak and has yet to defeat an FBS opponent.
Since there is no game this weekend, the players will have some time to regroup during the bye. However, things won't get easier for KU following its homecoming vs. Houston on Oct. 19. Kansas will face off against three ranked opponents (No. 18 Kansas State, No. 11 Iowa State, and No. 14 BYU) in the ensuing three weeks. Leipold and Co. must use this time wisely while his group looks to get back on its feet.
Kansas football can still flip the script after the Jayhawks' bye week
The Jayhawks essentially kick off part two of the 2024 campaign after playing half of the schedule's games. This is an opportunity to flip the script on what has been a lost season. Kansas entered the season ranked No. 22, yet is one of the three schools that has not won a conference game.
An extra week off does not always necessarily help a squad if you believe in the "rest vs. rust" debate. However, it provides extra time for some key Jayhawks to heal from injuries. Cobee Bryant left the Arizona State clash in the second half after sustaining what appeared to be a leg/ankle injury. Additionally, defensive captain and top linebacker Cornell Wheeler has missed consecutive games.
A silver lining is that Kansas will be officially eliminated from bowl eligibility if it does not win either of its next two meetings. That means the coaching staff can begin to roll out youngsters like freshman quarterback Isaiah Marshall without affecting redshirt statuses.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels appears to be trending upward after finishing his first outing without a turnover in 2024. He and coordinators Jeff Grimes/Brian Borland must attempt to salvage whatever is left of this year and their jobs in the upcoming season.