The week is here.
This Friday, the Kansas Jayhawks will look to exact revenge on the Missouri Tigers in what is bound to be another thrilling edition of the Border Showdown.
Last season, when these two met for the first time since 2011, the Jayhawks and the Tigers were slinging the ball with reckless abandon; the two combined for 73 points and it wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter, when Kansas failed to respond to another Missouri score, that the game turned into the eventual 11-point loss.
While both teams look dramatically different, with changes from top to bottom at both programs, if this game were to end similarly to how it did last year, it would require the Jayhawks to have their best players on the field, something that isn’t a guarantee right now between wide receiver Cam Pickett and linebacker Bam Crouch.
Lance Leipold reveals latest availability status
Pickett was a non-factor from the start of Kansas’ season-opening 51-6 win over LIU. There was confusion over whether he would be able to play, as there were no availability reports. However, when warmups got underway, it was clear he was not going to suit up.
KU wide receiver Cam Pickett isn't in full uniform tonight. Looks like he will miss the game.
— Henry Greenstein (@HenryGreenstein) September 4, 2026
Crouch, meanwhile, injured his shoulder on a hit during LIU’s second possession of the game. After looking shaken up he slowly got off the field only to return in a sling.
Bam Crouch has his right arm in a sling. He is not dressed for the second half.
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) September 5, 2026
When speaking with the media earlier Monday, the KU head coach spoke on the pair, saying, “Bam did not practice today. Cam was out there. Still has a ways to go. So I really don't have a status. But trying to be hopeful on both.”
Who is set to replace these stars?
In the wideout room, transfers Nik McMillan and Nahzae Cox each showed out on their debut. McMillan went for 130 yards and 1 touchdown on 6 receptions. Cox meanwhile reeled in a stellar 47-yard catch. In total, the Jayhawks went for 336 passing yards between redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall and redshirt junior Cole Ballard.
Replacing Crouch was New Mexico State transfer Quincy Davis. Davis ended up leading the Jayhawks with 5 total tackles.
Leipold spoke on the linebacker depth as a whole Monday as well.
“Quincy’s an extremely smart, savvy football player that Chris Simpson and the guys there do a great job cross-training…But, you've heard me say in here before, that Malachi Curvey keeps getting better and better, and he got his first extended time in college football. Jibreel Al-Amin is a very active, athletic linebackers. So, you know, they're gonna have their opportunities there as well, but we feel Quincy’s, you know, had enough time in this program in this defense, that if need be, he can play both spots.”
The anticipation around this meeting is growing by the minute. If neither is ready to go, then fine, Leipold and his team will just have to rely on the group that led them to a dominant week one win; however, it goes without saying the Tigers are in another world compared to the Sharks.
More Kansas Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google