Since Lance Leipold took over as head coach at Kansas three years ago, the Jayhawks have been able to rack up one accomplishment after another.
In his first season at the helm, KU beat Texas in Austin for the first time in program history. That win also ended a horrendous 56-game road Big 12 losing streak that had been going for Kansas since 2008.
In 2022, Leipold led the Jayhawks to victory against West Virginia in Morgantown for the first time in school history. The Jayhawks would go on to start the season 5-0 and host ESPN’s College GameDay for the first time in program history and reach the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2009. Later that season, they beat a top-25 Oklahoma State team for their first win over a ranked opponent since 2010 and became bowl eligible for the first time in 13 years.
In 2023, KU defeated Oklahoma – the first home win versus a top-25 team since 1984, the first win against the Sooners since 1997, and the first win over a top-10 opponent since KU defeated Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl.
There are more accomplishments that could be shared, but the point is KU has broken numerous losing streaks under Leipold – and they have a chance to end another this weekend.
KU has not beaten Baylor in football since 2007. The Jayhawks have lost 13 straight in that timespan and have never beaten the Bears in Waco.
Aside from the current 16-game losing streak to K-State (which KU will hopefully end next season in Lawrence), this is arguably the biggest remaining black eye for this program.
Baylor has had many good teams over the years, and they have a good team this year. However, this is not a program that should hold a 17-year winning streak against KU like they have.
With a win over Baylor on Saturday, KU can finally put one of their few remaining ugly, long-standing losing streaks to rest. Oh, and the win would make the Jayhawks eligible for a third consecutive bowl game for the first time in school history as well.
Over the past several weeks, this Kansas team has tackled every challenge they’ve faced. If they can overcome the one they face on Saturday, it will cap off a strange – yet remarkable – 2024 season.