The Kansas Jayhawks have managed to string together back‑to‑back bowl appearances in recent years, a feat that seemed impossible just a decade ago.
The Weight of Expectations
Yet despite those milestones, the team is still viewed with skepticism by many analysts who question whether the program can translate modest progress into consistent winning.
A recent projection from a national writer forecasts only three victories for Kansas in the 2026 season, a prediction that has added pressure on head coach Lance Leipold.
Leipold, who took over the program and guided it to those bowl trips, has openly accepted responsibility for the narrow defeats that have peppered the past two seasons, noting that the Jayhawks have lost seven games by a single score.
The coach’s acknowledgment comes as the squad’s late‑game performances have slipped, eroding the early optimism that followed their rise from the bottom of the Big 12.
A Season of Near Misses
Analyst Connor Maridan has publicly questioned the fairness of ranking Leipold as the eleventh‑best coach in the conference, arguing that the criticism overlooks the context of close losses.
Veteran journalist Brad Crawford of USA Today has echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that the Jayhawks’ rich tradition — highlighted by legendary running backs — deserves a more nuanced evaluation.
As the offseason approaches, the Jayhawks will look to build on the lessons of those tight contests, hoping to turn narrowly missed opportunities into tangible wins.