The Kansas football schedule features seven home games this season, marking their first in the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. It is an exciting time for KU as head coach Lance Leipold and his staff continue to work toward building a program that will be competitive, not only in the Big 12 but also nationally.
While an early-season five-game losing streak derailed last year’s team, resulting in a disappointing 5-7 record, it is incredible that Kansas and its fans have reached the point where five wins are considered a disappointment.
The Jayhawks have won 20 games over the last three years after claiming just 23 victories in the preceding 12 seasons. When Kansas won six games in 2022, it marked the first time since 2009 that the school had achieved more than three wins in a single season.
Which games on the Kansas football schedule are the most important in 2025?
No. 7: Wagner, Aug. 29
This contest, the second game of the season for the Jayhawks, will be the token game against an FCS opponent. The Seahawks were just 3-8 and shouldn’t offer much resistance to the Jayhawks. One thing KU needs to get away from is playing these types of games every year. If the Jayhawks are any good at all, then these matchups are nothing more than glorified practices.
No. 6: Cincinnati, Sept. 27
The Bearcats enter the season aiming to improve upon their 5-7 overall record and 3-6 conference record. It is the school’s second season in the Big 12, and Cincinnati is still transitioning to the bigger, more competitive conference. While all Big 12 games are important, KU and Cincinnati haven’t established much of a rivalry yet. Still, this is a must-win for KU.
No. 5: West Virginia, Sept. 20
Typically, this would be considered a big game, but the Mountaineers might be in line for a down season. Athlon Sports predicted West Virginia would finish 14th in the conference. Head coach Rich Rodriguez is returning to the school where he had success early in his career, but he will be trying to coax wins out of a transitioning roster. The Mountaineers also play well against KU, so this won’t be a cakewalk, but the Jayhawks should win this one.
No. 4: Oklahoma State, Nov. 1
Over the past two decades, Oklahoma State has consistently dominated the Jayhawks. Still, after a shockingly terrible 2024 campaign in which the Cowboys went winless, Kansas should be the better team in this matchup. Athlon has OSU finishing 13th in the Big 12, but this shouldn’t be an easy win for KU. They must play well to beat their ancient conference mates.
No. 3: Fresno State, August 23
Because conference games carry so much meaning, an early non-conference game seldom has this much weight. That is not the case for this season-opening matchup. Fresno State is not only the first opponent on the schedule, but it is the first game to be played in the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Fans and players alike are excited for the official unveiling of the stadium and hungry for a true home game after playing last year’s home games at neutral sites off-campus. The Kansas football team must put forth a winning performance to open the season. A win in this one will only build up more momentum for the season.
No. 2: Utah, Nov. 28
Utah should be one of the better teams in the Big 12 this season. Athlon ranks them one spot ahead of the Jayhawks at number 6. The hope for the Kansas program is that this game has bowl implications, although the Jayhawks could have secured a bowl spot before this game. In a perfect world, Kansas will be in the running for a berth in the conference championship game and maybe even a championship series spot. A lot of things must go right for that to be a possibility for KU, but it would be nice, regardless of the situation, to finish off the regular season with a big home win.
No. 1: Kansas State, Oct. 25
The Jayhawks have lost 16 straight Sunflower Showdowns to K-State, and Leipold would love to end this abysmal streak this year at home. To make the task even harder, the Wildcats most certainly will be one of the most formidable opponents on the schedule. Athlon predicts Kansas State to win the Big 12, and the Jayhawks would love to not only end their losing streak but also derail K-State’s hopes at a conference championship. Kansas wants to make this matchup a true in-state rivalry, while KSU intends to keep its foot firmly planted on the Jayhawks’ necks. KU has barely lost the last two matchups against K-State and could break through and end that streak this season.
If the Kansas football team is going to be good, then each of these games is winnable. If they lose many, especially to those teams slated to finish toward the bottom, then it could be a long season. With seven home games, the Jayhawks should give fans plenty of opportunities to come out and support their school in a shiny, comfortable stadium.