How many games can the Kansas Jayhawks win this fall?
By Dante Pryor
Kansas has to run the football better this season.
Despite being last in the Big 12 in every meaningful statistical category, the Jayhawks’ offense wasn’t awful all season. They were five points better last season than in 2021, and there is hope the offense could show more improvement this season with nine starters back. Most importantly, the Jayhawks might have settled on a quarterback.
Jason Bean led Kansas football in passing yards last season, but it was Jalon Daniels who proved to be the most effective passer the previous season and it is his job to lose this fall. Leipold and this offense want to run the football; they made that evident by the signees they have from the portal.
Nebraska transfer Sevion Morrison and Minnesota transfer Ky Thomas are clear indicators of what Leipold wants to do offensively. Remember that when Buffalo was at its peak under Leipold, Jarret Patterson and Kevin Marks terrorized opposing defenses in the MAC. Leipold and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki are going to pound the football.
The Jayhawks lose last season’s leading receiver, Kwamie Lassiter II. However, the three leading receivers all return, and they add Emilien Douglass from Minnesota. They might not be explosive on the outside, but that might not matter if the run game gets going, forcing teams to play man coverage.
The offensive line wasn’t that bad either. Four starters return to a unit that did an excellent job in pass protection. Where the Jayhawks need to get better is in run blocking. Poor run blocking is likely why Kansas football went into the portal for additional linemen for competition.