Kansas football ranked top 25 in preseason Coaches Poll

For the first time since 2009, the Kansas Jayhawks find themselves ranked inside the top 25 in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll. The Jayhawks were ranked No. 24 in the poll which was released Monday morning.

KU is one of several Big 12 schools ranked in the top 25, including No. 13 Utah, No. 17 Kansas State, No. 18 Oklahoma State, and No. 21 Arizona.

With all the returning talent from last season’s 9-4 team which won the 2024 Guaranteed Rate Bowl and finished ranked No. 23 in the final Coaches Poll of the 2023-24 season, it’s no surprise the Jayhawks find themselves as one of the projected top teams in the country.

Head coach Lance Leipold has turned this program around in a big way in his three seasons at the helm and now expectations have been raised.

For much of the past 15 years, KU has been playing the role of the underdog – but as long as the Jayhawks have a ranking listed in front of their name, they’ll likely be playing the role of the hunted.

Of course, preseason rankings mean little compared to the ones released at the end of the year, and this year’s team has bigger expectations than finishing fifth lowest among Big 12 teams. With the talent on this year’s roster – combined with a favorable schedule – it’s not hard to see how KU exceeds their No. 24 preseason ranking come season’s end.

The Jayhawks kick off the season Thursday, Aug. 29, against Lindenwood at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.