Kansas Jayhawks Q&A: KU football expectations with season opener 24 hours away
The start of Kansas football’s season is just one day away.
The Jayhawks play Fresno State on Saturday in the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. KU is a 12.5-point favorite over Fresno State.
Coach Lance Leipold believes the new-look Kansas squad has an opportunity to be great after a disappointing last season. The Jayhawks finished 5-7.
“I’ve said to our team before that we’ve got a chance to be a really good football team,” Leipold said. “Again, you’ve got to get to a point where (you) go out and play and get evaluated against somebody else. …
“Part of it is that you’re throwing so much at them and then you narrow stuff down for game plans, but this group is willing and very coachable. We’ve eliminated distractions.”
Let’s find out how good they are on Saturday.
With that, it’s time for another Kansas mailbag. Thanks, as always, for the questions!
What are your “realistic” expectations for KU FB. O/U 7.5 wins? Can we contend for a conference championship? @derekho23
This is a good question. In my season preview, I projected the Jayhawks at seven wins, but I mentioned the range is probably 6-to-9 wins this season. It’s challenging to evaluate this team with so many transfers, but on paper, the schedule appears relatively easy.
For realistic expectations: The Jayhawks should be in bowl contention. KU brings back one of the oldest QB/RB duos in college football in Jalon Daniels and Daniel Hishaw. That continuity means something in this day and age of college football.
As for contending for a conference championship? I think that will be difficult. Kansas has too many question marks in key position groups (like the secondary) and I just think there will be growing pains.
Plus, K-State, Texas Tech and Iowa State all have more talented rosters.
Can this team get to 8 wins if they stay healthy? Any positions that you feel we are lacking in? @CaseyOld
I certainly think eight wins are within the realm of possibility. I suppose it depends on whether Kansas can win one of its rivalry games against Missouri or Kansas State.
As for position groups, I’m not sure if lacking is the correct term, but I think there will be plenty of growing pains with the secondary. Kansas lost two star cornerbacks (Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant) to the NFL, so now the secondary is relatively young.
The Jayhawks will likely rely on the trio of Jalen Todd, Jahlil Hurley and Austin Alexander to play significant snaps. It’s hard to know what to expect from that group. The trio is talented but lacks playing experience.
The secondary is the No. 1 question I have about the team right now.
Is Mass Street large enough to host the CFP championship parade? @dtrainkc
I appreciate the optimism, but the last time Kansas had sky-high expectations was ... last season. I don’t need to tell you that KU finished 5-7 with multiple heartbreaking losses.
This team will challenge for a bowl game, but the only CFP Championship parade in Lawrence this season will be on the CFB 26 video game.
Wide receiver group: Floor and ceiling? @brennen__hall
This is an excellent question. After the departure of Luke Grimm, Lawrence Arnold and Quentin Skinner to graduation, the Jayhawks added an impressive haul of WRs from the transfer portal.
Kansas brought in Bryson Canty (Columbia), Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (Alabama), Levi Wentz (Albany) and Cam Pickett (Ball State). KU also brings back Keaton Kubecka and Doug Emilien.
It’s hard to project a floor for this squad, but I do think it’ll be lower than last season’s. That said, the ceiling should be higher.
Henderson and Pickett have received an immense amount of praise. In fact, since Henderson arrived on campus in December, praise from coaches and players hasn’t stopped.
He’s also considered one of the fastest players on the team, a fact Daniels had to adjust to as the two practiced together over the summer. Henderson could be the best receiver Daniels has ever had if he manages to live up to the hype.
Let’s see if Henderson and company can deliver on that potential ceiling. It could be Daniels’ best receiver room — but that would take a lot going right.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Kansas Jayhawks Q&A: KU football expectations with season opener 24 hours away."
