Kansas Jayhawks 2016 NCAA Football Preview
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
Big 12 Conference
2015 Record – 0-12
ATS – 3-9
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Big 12 Conference #10
2015 Recap
Well that was fun. The Jayhawks started the season losing at home to South Dakota St and then reeled off another 11 straight losses to finish up 0-12. There were not too many close calls either as they gave up 40+ points EIGHT times and 60+ twice. If there was a highlight it was obviously their showing at TCU as 46 (!) point underdogs where they ended up losing a close one 23-17. That makes six straight seasons with three wins or less.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
QB Ryan Willis showed flashes of potential as a freshman last season and it is his starting job to lose heading into August camp. He is expected to hold off junior Montell Cozart although nothing is for certain at this point. Leading rusher Ke’aun Kinner is probably their most dependable skill position player but at 5-9 191 it is hard to imagine him carrying too much of a burden for the entire season. The WR corps is young but unproven. The offensive line has some decent size with 3 returning starters and they must create some lanes in the running game or this will be another long season. In 2015, Kansas was ranked 120th in the FBS in rushing offense and 122nd in sacks allowed.
DEFENSE
Kansas allowed a mind-boggling 561 yards and 46 points per game last season which was dead last in the FBS. There is optimism heading into 2016 as the Jayhawks return eight starters and have some talent to work with at every level of the defense. DT Daniel Wise is poised for a break-out season, the LB group is pretty good and the secondary is led by 2nd Team Big 12 S Fish Smithson. We think that Kansas can allow 7-10 fewer points per game and that gives them a shot at pulling an upset or two.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game just might be an adventure this season and not in a good way. It is still unclear who the starting punter will be in 2016. Both PKs are back but they hit only 6/11 FGs between them last year. KR Ryan Schadler had a return TD in 2015 but the Jayhawks ranked 125th in the FBS in punt return average. You cannot fix everything at once I guess. This unit looks sketchy.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 4.0
MEGALOCKS says:
The Jayhawks have now lost 15 games in a row and HC David Beaty has still not tasted victory. Kansas starts off with arguably their two most winnable games with Rhode Island (they have to win this game – right ?) and Ohio at home. The Iowa St game later in the year should also be competitive.
Overall, we give the JAYHAWKS a 4.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season. They are going to be better this season. But how much better ? Kansas has been a money-burner for quite a long time now as their last winning season ATS was back in 2008 (!). Kansas was a huge underdog last season in most of their games, with inflated point spreads, and they still could only manage a 3-9 record against the number. This season we feel that they will get a couple of covers as huge underdogs because they will be better AND people have a hard time getting their heads around betting Kansas. Do not completely ignore.
Want more Kansas football ?
Website
http://www.kuathletics.com/index.aspx?path=football
Forum
http://www.scout.com/college/kansas/forums/2485-gridiron-talk
http://boards.kusports.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=1&page=1
http://kansas.247sports.com/Board/Kansas-Jayhawks-Football-Recruiting-Message-Board-Forum-59478
News
http://www2.kusports.com/news/football/
http://bleacherreport.com/kansas-jayhawks-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/kansas-jayhawks
https://twitter.com/KU_Football @KU_Football
https://twitter.com/mctait @mctait Matt Tait