Lane Gillespie | @lane_gill18
LAWRENCE, KS – In this weird and uneventful year we’ve had to endure, we had no idea if college football would take place this fall. Thankfully for college football fans, the Big 12 Conference decided to have football play as scheduled, with some restrictions, of course. Although we are unaware if every Kansas football game this season will be played as scheduled, this should be a very interesting season for Les Miles’ Jayhawks.
The first year under head coach Les Miles found the Jayhawks finishing 3-9 (1-8 Big 12). Even though this is still sub-par from what Kansas fans want out of their football program overall, this was just year one of a rebuilding process.
Last year was a season filled with moral victories, but the goal for this season should be for more wins in the record book.
Here are my game-by-game predictions:
September 12: vs. Coastal Carolina
Kansas 31 – Coastal Carolina 28
After last season’s disappointing (and embarrassing) loss vs. the Chanticleers, the Jayhawks are looking to exact revenge in their lone non-conference game. This game is going to be close, but I believe the Jayhawks will pull it off, even though it will be weird with there being no fans at a 9 p.m. start time.
September 26: at Baylor
Baylor 45 – Kansas 24
Baylor came out of nowhere to be a threat in the college football world last year and this season will be no different. Having Charlie Brewer back at QB will bring Baylor’s offense to life. It won’t be as big of a blowout that Baylor had against KU last season (61-6) but look for Baylor to finish with at least a 20-point win.
October 3: vs. Oklahoma State
Oklahoma St. 38 – Kansas 28
I have two words for you: Chuba Hubbard. It is going to be impossible stopping that man on the ground. OSU’s passing game will be decent, but the offense is going to rally behind Hubbard. KU’s offense will keep themselves in the game, but ultimately the Cowboys’ offense will be too much for the Jayhawk defense.
October 17: at West Virginia
Kansas 34 – West Virginia 31
After KU finished just close to defeating the Mountaineers last season at home, the Jayhawks will know their strategies and know how to fight against them. This game is going to be close all game long, just like last season’s. Kansas will pull it off with a game-winning possession late in the game.
October 24: at Kansas State
Kansas State 45 – Kansas 20
Yeah, there’s no way Kansas is going to stop Skylar Thompson. They didn’t last season and they won’t this season either. Thompson is just too good. He can get it done in the air and on the ground. With the Wildcats having a big name in Wyatt Hubert playing on defense as well, the Jayhawk offense won’t play to the level they’re used to, and it will catch them off-guard. Look for a couple of late touchdowns though.
October 31: vs. Iowa State
Kansas 41 – Iowa State 38
There will be a full moon on Halloween this year, but Kansas will not be scared of Iowa State’s defense. The Jayhawks will have their best offensive performance this season, but it will still be a close game. Kansas will find a way to pull out a win late.
November 7: at Oklahoma
Oklahoma 48 – Kansas 24
Throughout these past few years, Oklahoma has been one of the best college football teams in the country. Throughout those years, the Sooners have been too much for the Jayhawks. Oklahoma will blow out Kansas again without a doubt.
November 21: vs. Texas
Texas 38 – Kansas 31
Kansas had an unbelievable performance in their loss in Austin last season, but Texas isn’t going to take that kind of stuff like they did last season. Sure, Texas still is not back, but they’ll get there… Someday… This day will be their day though.
November 28: vs. TCU
Kansas 38 – TCU 35
I don’t know what it is, but Kansas always plays poorly vs. TCU in Fort Worth but play great in Lawrence. Well, this will happen again this season as the Jayhawks will defeat the Horned Frogs in Lawrence. Just like their last victory against TCU at home, this game will be close.
December 5: at Texas Tech
Kansas 28 – Texas Tech 17
Even though Kansas got lucky at the end of their only Big 12 win last season, this game will not be so lucky for the Red Raiders. Like last season, Texas Tech will have an early lead, but KU will come back and win the game by two possessions.
Overall Record: 5-5 (4-5 Big 12)
As we reach year two of the Kansas football rebuilding process, there are many questions that currently remain unanswered. Will KU’s starting QB (whoever that may be) perform beyond expectations? Will the defense step up further from last season? Finally, in this unpredictable year, will the Jayhawks perform a step or two higher than they did last season? We’ll just have to wait and see. Year two under Les Miles starts Saturday, September 12 against Coastal Carolina. The game will kick off at 9:00 p.m