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Big 12 Football: 5 worst starting quarterback situations for 2017

By Andrew Miller

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Zach Smith #4 of the Baylor Bears drops back to pass during the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Chase Field on December 27, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Zach Smith #4 of the Baylor Bears drops back to pass during the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Chase Field on December 27, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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This is nothing on Peyton Bender but Kansas always seems to enter the college football season with the worst quarterback situation of any team in the Big 12. The Washington State transfer threw more interceptions than touchdowns during his time with the Cougars as a freshman back in 2015. That does not bode well for a team that needs all the help they can get.

Things are trending in the right direction for the Jayhawks under David Beaty. They’re recruiting at a higher level now and actually won a Big 12 game last season against a respectable team in the Texas Longhorns. Moreover, the out of conference schedule is manageable with games against Southeast Missouri out of the FCS, Ohio, and Central Michigan. That could help give Bender the confidence he needs to put together a solid campaign with the Jayhawks in 2017 and keep Beaty’s improvement going.

Bender has the chance to actually be a two-year starter at quarterback for Kansas, something that’s very rare nowadays with the Jayhawks. Wide receivers like LaQuivionte Gonzalez and Steven Sims Jr. are solid weapons to help Bender get settled in Lawrence very quickly. Building up talent and keeping momentum going into the 2018 season are the most important goals for the Jayhawks entering the 2017 season.

Next: 5 worst quarterback situations in the SEC for 2017

Look out for Bender to surprise some people this season, whether it be in a good or bad way. Winning three games with Kansas would be a positive sign for Beaty, Bender, and Jayhawk fans alike.

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