During the gut-wrenching loss to TCU last weekend, Kansas football did what it has a tendency to do with a lead. It made key mistakes at critical moments. Against TCU, there was something else Kansas did that the Jayhawks typically don't do: ignore wide receiver Nik McMillan.
Until the TCU game, McMillan was KU's leading receiver, consistent throughout the season with at least two catches in every game. He led the team in receiving yards with 466 and in receiving touchdowns with five.
McMillan, along with Nahzee Cox, is a player who stretches defenses and has terrific hands, averaging 18.6 yards per catch this season. Yet he was ignored against TCU and only saw one pass thrown in his vicinity.
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Why did the Kansas offense ignore Nik McMillan against TCU?
It is unrealistic to think the Kansas game plan was to ignore McMillan; it just seemed to work out that way. Cox and Cam Pickett each had massive games, with Cox catching five passes for 145 yards while Pickett reeled in 10 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.
After dealing with injuries and not being a factor in the Jayhawks' first three games, Pickett has now surpassed McMillan for the team lead in receptions with 31. Pickett is more of a possession receiver who works underneath, and with quarterback Cole Ballard under pressure most of the day, getting the ball out as quickly as possible was necessary, making him Ballard's quick go-to.
While Ballard did complete a couple of deeper throws to Cox, the backup quarterback isn't known for his arm strength or for throwing downfield. Those deeper routes are McMillan's bread and butter. While injured starter Isaiah Marshall and McMillan have made some terrific connections, Ballard and McMillan weren't able to duplicate that success.
McMillan wasn't the only member of the receiving corps who didn't get much attention. Tight end Carson Bruhn had only two catches for nine yards, but was needed in the blocking scheme more than usual to hold off the relentless Horned Frogs' pass rush.
Still, it is only good news for KU going down the stretch. The Jayhawks have three wide receivers who can produce good numbers and complement each other. McMillan, Pickett, and Cox all do different things, and that can put pressure on defenses.
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It is important for KU to get Marshall healthy and back under center. As of Monday, his status was unclear, but yesterday, Matt Tait tweeted that Marshall was practicing and moving well, and that's good news.
Kotelnicki said both Cole Ballard & Isaiah Marshall were out practicing today and moving around well... #KUfball
— Matt Tait (@mctait) November 3, 2026
Despite his faults, Kansas is clearly a better football team with Marshall at the helm. The passing game has more downfield options, and he helps the ground game tremendously.
If Marshall can return healthy against UCF, the offense should be in a good place. With three strong wide receivers (and decent depth there too), a good tight end, and Dylan Edwards doing an outstanding job leading the running game, KU has the tools to be good on offense.
The TCU game was just a blip as far as McMillan is concerned, so look for him to make an impact against the Knights on Saturday, especially if Marshall returns.
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