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Big 12 Football Preseason Power Rankings: Boomer Sooner

By VF Castro

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Jul 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach David Beaty speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach David Beaty speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

No.10: Kansas Jayhawks

I hate to be that sportswriter who goes along with the national trends, but I’m going to be that sportswriter who goes with national trends, and slot the Kansas Jayhawks at No. 10.

Kansas continues to be in a rebuilding process, which isn’t coach Dave Beaty’s fault. However, the Jayhawks are still a few seasons away from proving to be true competitors in the Big 12 conference.

With conference expansion talks and scheduled for a vote in October, strength of schedules is going to be important for any team to rise in ranks. So with Rhode Island, Ohio, and Memphis on Kansas’ schedule in 2016, the Jayhawks need to start beefing up its competition.

For 2016, wins against at least two of its non-conference opponents are imperative, as competition heats up right away against Texas Tech’s high-octane offense on Sept. 29 in Lubbock, TX.

With FCS opponent Rhode Island finishing at 1-10 last season, Kansas has a solid chance at escaping this season with at least 1-2 wins. But It will be all gas for the Jayhawks until Iowa State on Nov. 12 in Lawrence, Kansas.

With the Jayhawks finishing the 2015 season at 0-12, the glass-half-full optimist has to see Kansas’ 2016 campaign as, “we can only get better.” Beaty has taken over this season as play-caller and hopes to give his quarterbacks more freedom at signal caller while installing a true Air Raid offense. This is a big step, and might seem wildly optimistic to many, but like I said: glass half-full.

Beaty’s rebuild is an interesting one, and it will be an uphill battle, as Kansas returns seven starters on its defensive unit this season; which could be a good thing, but Kansas’ defense surrendered 46.1 points-per-game last season.

As I said, if Kansas can adjust personnel and continue to recruit intelligently as the season progresses, it could have a shot at getting in-play for recruits looking to make an impact early in its 2017 class.

If I’m Coach Beaty, that’s my main objective, next to avoiding a 2016 shutout. The final score against Rhode Island could be the benchmark for this season.

Silver Lining: The Jayhawks can only improve from here.

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