It is no secret that the Kansas Jayhawks found themselves in the cellar of Power 5 football for many years before Lance Leipold took the program back to prominence. The team won 21 games from 2010-2020 and recycled four head coaches in the process. Thankfully, Leipold has turned down multiple intriguing job offers and is here to stay in Lawrence.
Last year, Kansas finished the season with a 9-4 record and its first bowl victory since 2009. While it was a successful campaign for Leipold and Co., there could be brighter days ahead for the Jayhawks. Not only does CFB analyst and 'Always College Football' host Greg McElroy think this team will be special, but he took it as far as to proclaim KU as a College Football Playoff contender in his recent show.
Greg McElroy believes Kansas football will contend for CFP spot in 2024
"You’re going to scratch your head. You’re going to scratch your head when I tell you this one. I kind of scratched my own head when saying this out loud as well given where this program was just a few years ago – the Kansas Jayhawks are College Football Playoff contenders this year, If you don’t believe me, look at the odds in the Big 12 to win the conference. Kansas is hovering right there at third or fourth. There’s a reason why Vegas believes. It’s because you look at what Lance Leipold has done in the first three years. There’s reason to believe this could be his best group."Greg McElroy
Kansas fans, once accustomed to disappointment, now have legitimate reasons to be excited for the football season. With Leipold at the helm, the future looks brighter than it has in years, and the long wait for a competitive team has finally ended. However, nobody could have expected the Jayhawks to be in playoff discussions a few years ago.
Unlike in past years, there will be 12 teams in the CFP and an automatic bid from each of the four major conferences. If Kansas were to win the Big 12 Championship game, they would effectively advance to the playoffs' first round.
Another facet that could play into their playoff hopes is the team's strength of schedule. Analytics say that Kansas has the easiest schedule in the new-look Big 12 this season. There is a strong chance that KU's fate is determined by the long-awaited Sunflower Showdown as the Jayhawks look to break a 15-game losing streak against the Wildcats.
Everything will have to go right in order for Kansas to make the playoffs, including Jalon Daniels staying healthy. However, the fact that these are legitimate conversations around the college football universe seems unreal to Jayhawk supporters. We'll see if KU can live up to the hype this year.