Kansas football has one last chance for a turnaround in Arizona State matchup

It cannot be understated how disappointing the 2024 Kansas football season has been. The team’s promising Week 1 victory has been followed up with four consecutive losses, all of which were within reach. 

As the college football campaign approaches the midseason mark, it’s now or never for Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks. If KU plans on sniffing bowl eligibility and coming out of this season with any positive signs, it must leave Tempe with a road win over Arizona State this weekend. Can this squad finally turn it around?

Kansas football's remaining 2024 hopes hinge on ASU game

Kickoff time is 6:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Mountain America Stadium. The 3-1 Sun Devils have much more to play for as they search for bowl eligibility for the first time in three years. However, it is also a chance for the Jayhawks to pick up their first conference victory and potentially put themselves on the right trajectory.

Despite entering the Big 12 with low initial expectations for the football program, ASU has been a pleasant surprise for the conference. They finished nonconference play with a commanding win over Wyoming and Mississippi State. Before the bye week, they lost by one possession to Texas Tech to open league play.

Kansas once viewed this contest as a gimme. Now, ASU is a three-point favorite over the struggling Jayhawks. There is very little room for hope in Lawrence — fans have watched the team crumble down the stretch and shoot itself in the foot four games in a row.

What makes it even more frustrating is that KU isn’t bad enough to simply bow out. Sure, watching Kansas play football in the 2010s tormented the Jayhawk faithful, but at least they didn’t have any expectations and gave fans false hope. The last four losses can blamed on poor decision-making, play-calling, and coaching rather than on-the-field talent.

Sitting at 1-4, Leipold has one more chance to turn it around and give the team a chance at bowl eligibility. A loss would effectively end any postseason hopes, leading to potential changes internally and on the field. We can only hope Jalon Daniels, Jeff Grimes, and Co. finally figure it out on Saturday.