Kansas Jayhawks 2023 College Football Preview
July 18, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 6-7
ATS – 7-5-1
Yes, guy.
Prior to the 2022 campaign, The Jayhawks hadn’t tallied more than three wins in a season since way back in 2009 when they cobbled together five wins. That changed pretty quickly as they opened the year with five consecutive victories including upsets over West Virginia, Houston, and Iowa St. Kansas had some trouble when the schedule got tougher and only managed to emerge victorious one more time (Oklahoma St). They participated in their first bowl game since the 2008 Insight Bowl (!) and came THIS close to taking down mighty WOO PIG in the Liberty Bowl (L 55-53).
Congrats to Kansas, and a tip of the cap to MEGALOCKS SEASON WIN TOTAL CLUB members who had ‘over’ 2.5 wins and booked that BAD BOY nice and early.
Kansas Jayhawks 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” <Neil Armstrong> <fake moon landing, 1969>
The Jayhawks made a giant leap in offensive production LY as they averaged 36 PPG (#21 FBS) just one year after scoring a mere 20.8 PPG (15.8 in 2020). Kansas will be potent once again under the leadership of emerging star QB Jalon Daniels who’s a devastating dual-threat specimen (18-4 TD to INT, 7 rush TD, injured LY). The Jayhawks boast a loaded RB room that includes 1,000-yard man Devin Neal and they bring back everyone from a deep and dangerous collection of THROW GAME targets. Four starters return to a talented and experienced OL with good size. Yup, these guys will be potent.
DEFENSE
Kansas struggled once again on this side of the football LY and ranked dead last in the Big 12 in both scoring defense (35.5 PPG) and total defense (469 YPG). They allowed 200+ yards on the ground for the fourth consecutive season. The Jayhawks retain seven starters and five of their top-six tacklers so maybe we can expect some improvement? The DL appears to be a major problem area as it’s undergoing a major reconstruction project and they’ll feature a brand new starting front-four. They’ve added a lot of bodies thru the portal so we’ll see how things go. The back seven should be better this year as all the starters are back for action including leading safety Kenny Logan, #2 tackler LB Rich Miller, and ace CB Cobee Bryant. We project the PPG and YPG metrics to improve slightly but this is still one of the weaker stop units in the Big 12.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Jayhawks were HOT GARBAGE in this area last season (#120 STEELE rankings) and it’s mostly the same cast of characters returning this year. Hopefully the addition of veteran PK Seth Keller from Texas St (37-43 career FG) will make a noticeable difference.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The non-conference schedule is very favorable as the toughest test is a home date with Illinois. They have to face Texas (A), Oklahoma (H), and Kansas St (H) but at least they go the entire year without playing back-to-back road games.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – UCF (Oct 7)
This could be a sleepy spot as this game falls between dates with traditional Big 12 opponents (Texas, Pokes).
Season Win Total
Market consensus July 18
Over 6 -120
Under 6 +100
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
There’s a good chance they start 3-0 and you can do the math from there. There are some rogue 5.5s in the marketplace so shop around, yo.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Lance Leipold has an excellent ATS mark of 16-7-1 (69.6%) in the role of home favorite as head coach with Buffalo (13-6-1) and Kansas (3-1). Take note, DEGENERATE NATION.
Kansas is one of the few states remaining on Time Magazine’s well-respected list of “States that haven’t gone down the crapper yet but give them time.” ^^
^^ fact check: probably true
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
It’s just natural to want to see Kansas succeed, and we suppose that goes for any program that’s had a long recent stretch of major STANK. The Jayhawks have an excellent offense, they’re well-coached, and the schedule is reasonable. It all sets up for another bowl appearance but we fear that the defense isn’t up to snuff yet in terms of making these guys legit contenders to get to the Big 12 Championship Game. It should be a fun ride with lots of exciting games.
ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK!