By Ty Scheiner
The 2024 Kansas Jayhawks football season has been a tale of two seasons. The team was looked upon as one of the top teams in the conference heading into 2024, with high expectations not only to win the Big 12, but potentially make a run in the CFB Playoff. The Jayhawks got off to a brutal 2-6 start with losses to Illinois, UNLV, West Virginia, TCU, Arizona State, and Kansas State.
Yet as we head into the final week of the regular season, the Jayhawks are playing like the best team in the conference and they are on the verge of bowl eligibility. Although they won’t be making the College Football Playoff, what this Kansas team has accomplished in the second half of the season makes you wonder if they could have met the preseason expectations.
A Tale of Two Seasons
The first half of the season was disappointing, to say the least. Five of their six losses, came by six points or less. Fans were frustrated with how close the Jayhawks came in each of these games. The offense wasn’t clicking as it had in the past, the defense wasn’t getting the stops or pressuring the quarterback when needed, and the Jayhawks were losing the turnover battle.
Since the 2-6 start, the Jayhawks have ripped off three consecutive ranked wins — a program record. Not only were these teams ranked, but all three teams have been in the College Football Playoff conversation. Each victory has been a statement for Kansas, illustrating their resilience, mental toughness, and refusal to quit. Lance Leipold talked about that after the victory last week against Colorado.
“I’m so proud of this group and our coaching staff because so many people had written this team off,” Leipold said following Saturday’s 37-21 victory over Colorado. “Everyone was frustrated, pointing to things that should’ve been changed or done differently. But this group stuck together, stayed committed to the process, and did everything we asked of them.”
Not only have these three wins salvaged their season, but they are also creating chaos in the conference for who will be competing for a conference title and, most importantly, punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff.
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It all goes back to the character and leadership of this team, both on the field and the sidelines. Lance Leipold, known for his ability to rebuild, has kept the Jayhawks focused, motivated, and hungry despite the early-season adversity. This says a lot about Leipold, a two-time award winner for the MAC Coach of the Year.
Offensive Explosion
Kansas’s offensive resurgence has been led by two of their most dynamic playmakers: quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal.
Daniels, who has had an injury-prone career, is looking like himself now that he’s healthy. His dual-threat ability has been key for this offense, while Neal has been dynamic, showcasing a combination of power, speed, and vision that makes him one of the most versatile backs in the conference and maybe even in the country.
In the last three games, the Jayhawks have averaged 33 points per game, greater than their season average of 30.8 points per game. This is the high-powered offense that we all were expecting coming into the season, which a few of my colleagues and I picked to win the Big 12.
Playing the Spoiler: Kansas Shakes Up the Big 12 Playoff Race
While Kansas won’t be playing in the College Football Playoff this year, they’ve played the role of spoiler to perfection. Beating three ranked teams in a row is not to be taken lightly, and it really shows how well this team is peaking in the second half of the season. The Jayhawks have caused chaos in the playoff race, proving that the Big 12 remains as unpredictable as ever.
It’s worth noting that Kansas’s success doesn’t just impact their own season and it has ripple effects across the conference. Every win solidifies the Jayhawks’ reputation as a team that no one wants to face right now.
Are The Jayhawks the Best Team in the Big 12?
The second-half surge from Kansas has been fueled by solid coaching, explosive offense, and determination, making them arguably the best team in the Big 12 currently. Even though they will be falling short of their preseason goals, this team is proving it can compete with the top teams in the country.
In a conference filled with parity, regardless of how the season ends, this team has shown why preseason expectations were so high and and why the future under Lance Leipold looks incredibly bright.
