The 2024/25 Kansas Football season was one that, unfortunately, continued a recent trend of seeing more downs than ups.
After a strong 4-2 start for the Jayhawks, things quickly flamed out as KU won just one of its final six games to make it back-to-back seasons without bowl eligibility.
It is, of course, worth noting that two new coordinators, Jim Zebrowski and D.K. McDonald, were each dealing with their respective units' highs and lows, but for the program as a whole, a 5-7 record felt flat.
This, of course, led to mass reshuffling across the program as former associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki was brought back and assigned offensive playcalling duties. Kansas also saw 31 incoming transfers and 25 departures, along with a freshman class ranked 64th in the nation.
FanDuel previews Kansas’ unfavorable slate
Not many in the nation would be thrilled with Kansas’ schedule. The Jayhawks’ sole bye week takes place after their trip to Wembley, where they will be taking on Arizona State in the Union Jack Classic, which means they play every single weekend from October 3rd all the way until November 28th. By no means does it make it better to say that five of the Jayhawks’ last eight games are away from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
FandDuel Sportsbook gives Kansas’ odds of winning over 5.5 games a -154, and the under is currently +126.
According to CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah, Kansas’ wins most likely come against LIU, Middle Tennessee, Baylor, UCF, and at West Virginia. With losses coming against Missouri, Arizona State, at Utah, at Kansas State, against BYU, and at Oklahoma State.
Starting hot early is a must for the Jayhawks
Assuming Kansas takes down both LIU and Middle Tennessee will at least give the Jayhawks a 2-2 start. Now, if they can flip either the Tigers or Sun Devils, then that would be a massive help in pushing Lance Leipold to his third bowl with the program.
If Kansas does have one thing going for them, it is that neither Missouri nor ASU is a true away game, and looking back on past memory, the Jayhawks narrowly fell to Eli Drinkwitz’s side in a barnburning 42-31 loss last Fall. And in the year prior, Kansas lost by just four points to an Arizona State team that made the College Football Playoff.
Entering conference play, things just shake themselves out in a way that has you wishing the locations were flipped. For example, if KU could host first-year head coach Morgan Scalley and the Utah Utes, rather than traveling there in mid-October, then the outlook of that game may swing differently.
Last year, Kansas traveled to UCF and – while it was close – left Orlando, FL, with a pivotal away win. If they could make that another away game and bring someone like TCU or WVU home, then you begin to shape a bowl-qualifying season.
While nothing can be changed now, Kansas recently launched its spring practice in what will be one of the most important spring practices in the Leipold era. If things get off on the right foot, then the KU faithful will be looking forward to next Fall.
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