It is a wonderful time of year! The new College Football season is well underway, and we are in the heart of week 1. While some teams have not had the opportunity to take the field yet, the Jayhawks are already sitting pretty at 2-0 with convincing victories over Fresno State and Wagner. KU now heads into week 2 to face their toughest test yet, but we'll get more into that later...
When scanning the 2025 Kansas Football schedule, five games stand out above the rest when trying to determine what games will make or break the Jayhawks' season as they attempt to get back into bowl contention. Here are those five games:
1. Kansas vs Mizzou - The Jayhawks are coming into week two with confidence, and things are about to heat up immensely. On Saturday, September 6, a bitter rivalry that dates back all the way to the 1800s will be re-ignited for the first time since 2011, as KU is on the road to take on the Tigers in Columbia. This game is sure to draw a lot of national attention, especially the days heading into the contest. The nice thing about this game for both sides is that it is still early, so a loss won't totally ruin either season, but a win could show the country who's boss in this rivalry. One thing is for sure, it will sting more than you can imagine if you're a fan of the losing squad. Both sides come into the game without any blemishes on their respective records, so this one promises to be a matchup for the ages.
2. Kansas vs K-State - This annual rivalry is back in Lawrence this season when the Jayhawks face off with the Wildcats from Manhattan on Saturday, October 25, in the Booth. KU has come extremely close to defeating its rivals each of the past two seasons, if it were not for some unexpected complications. This season, Lance Leipold and his squad will be extra motivated and hungry for a win against Kansas State, something this football program has not had since 2008.
3. Kansas @ Iowa State - KU will be seeking a fourth straight win over the Cyclones when they go head-to-head in Ames on Saturday, November 22nd. Even though KU isn't known historically for its football accomplishments, the Jayhawks have had their fair share of success against Iowa State, a program that has been very good as of late. You already know coach Matt Campbell will be more than motivated to get the win in this one, but Lance Leipold is not just going to back down. This matchup could have even bigger stakes when it comes to that time, but until then, we can only watch and see how these two teams fare.
4. Kansas @ Texas Tech - The Jayhawks have not been able to overcome the Red Raiders in the Lance Leipold era. Could this finally be the season? The winless drought against Texas Tech (dating back to 2019) isn't as drastic as the drought against K-State, but it is still a parade that KU will eagerly try to rain on. This Texas Tech squad has very high expectations going into the season, and will not anticipate KU coming into Lubbock and snatching the win, but that is 100% the game plan for the Jayhawks, and we will see if they can execute when the time comes.
5. Kansas vs Utah - Senior night will undoubtedly be of the utmost importance, as the Jayhawks close out the regular season against a Utah program that they have not faced since 1996. Jalon Daniels will be suited up in the Booth for the final time of his playing career with a lot on the line. A bowl game, Big 12 Championship game appearance, and even more could be at stake for either team in this matchup. See you in Lawrence on Black Friday, November 28th, at 11 AM for senior afternoon.
Obviously, every game matters, but these five are crucial and will surely have a great impact on the end-of-season result. If KU can successfully navigate its way through these games, or at least the majority of them, then we are in for a season to remember!