The 2026 college football season looms on the horizon, and the Kansas Jayhawks are determined to reverse a stretch of back‑to‑back 5‑7 campaigns that has left fans yearning for a return to relevance.
During a recent press conference, head coach Lance Leipold recalled the only meeting he has had with Colorado’s Deion Sanders since the latter took over the Buffaloes program in 2023, a game that ended in a decisive 37‑21 victory for Kansas.
A Quiet Admiration
Leipold spoke admiringly of Sanders’ disciplined work ethic and his humble demeanor, traits he believes have reshaped the narrative around the Buffaloes and added a new layer of excitement to the Big 12 landscape.
Sanders’ tenure has been marked by dramatic swings in performance: a 4‑8 record in his inaugural year, a bounce‑back 9‑4 season in 2024, followed by a 3‑9 showing in 2025. The volatility underscores the challenges of rebuilding a program while maintaining national relevance.
Kansas’ Path Forward
Emphasizing confidence in his squad’s potential, Leipold highlighted the team’s work ethic and the lessons learned from past seasons, suggesting that the Jayhawks are poised to capitalize on the momentum generated by their recent win over Colorado.
The upcoming schedule will test Kansas against a variety of opponents, but the coach remains focused on building a consistent identity that can translate into wins when it matters most.