When the Big 12 Media Days kicked off, Kansas football supporters arrived with a palpable sense of optimism, buoyed by recent progress and the excitement of a new era.
A cautious optimism
The buzz was tempered, however, by a stark forecast from CBS Sports, which projected a 3‑9 record for the Jayhawks in the upcoming season, a figure that has sparked debate among analysts and fans alike.
Despite the bleak outlook, the team’s schedule offers several winnable matchups, including games against LIU, Middle Tennessee and UCF, while the predicted defeats list powerhouse opponents such as Missouri, Arizona State, Utah, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, West Virginia, BYU and Oklahoma State.
Schedule snapshot
Coach Lance Leipold addressed concerns about late‑game collapses, emphasizing that the new coaching staff and a revamped roster could alter the trajectory of close contests.
The offseason has been marked by a transfer‑heavy influx, with 30 new players joining the program, while veteran assistants Andy Kotelnicki and D.K. McDonald return to lead the offense and defense respectively, bringing fresh schemes and continuity.
Analysts caution that the predictions, while harsh, may not fully capture the potential impact of these changes, especially as the team integrates its new talent and adapts to a more competitive Big 12 landscape.