Former LSU head coach Les Miles takes over Kansas football with a massive rebuilding project on his hands. How many games will the Jayhawks win this year?
The Kansas Jayhawks football team is coming off a season with much of the same factors as the previous nine. After another underwhelming season of 3-9, the Jayhawks decided to take a shot on former LSU head coach Les Miles to restart the program from scratch.
Miles will hope to bring the team its first winning record since 2008. With an overall record of 142-55, Miles certainly knows what it takes to come out on top in college football.
Upon his arrival to Lawrence, Kansas, Miles will team up with junior quarterback Thomas MacVittie, a player he originally recruited while at LSU. After a year at Pittsburgh, MacVittie decided to head to the JUCO ranks before coming back to college football.
Miles will get a chance to work with the quarterback he previously had his sights set on as well as sophomore running back Pooka Williams Jr., who will miss the opener after a domestic violence arrest. Williams Jr. finished with seven rushing touchdowns and over 1,000 yards last season.
At the wide receiver position, the Jayhawks hope for a big year from former Alabama transfer Daylon Charlot. The position seemed to be of focus for the first-year head coach as he looks to surround his young quarterback with stronger weapons on the outside.
The defense is where Miles will face his biggest challenge. Last season, the Jayhawks allowed 418.5 yards per game as well as 30 points allowed. In the Big 12, these numbers are expected to be a bit inflated, but still extremely high for Miles’ liking.
In the defensive backfield, Kansas should be much deeper as physical safety Bryce Torneden returns for his senior season alongside senior cornerbacks Hasan Defense and Elmore Hempstead Jr.
Here’s a game-by-game prediction of what Les Miles’ first season may look like.
Week-by-week predictions
Game 1: vs Indiana State
The first game of the season for Kansas features a tune-up type game for the Jayhawks. Even without Pooka Williams Jr. in the backfield, expect a lopsided win to open the season.
Result: Win
Game 2: vs Coastal Carolina
Following a dismantling of Indiana State and with the return of the team’s star running back, expect much of the same in week two for the Jayhawks who are already only one-win shy of last year’s mark.
Result: Win
Game 3: at Boston College
With the ACC extremely weak, this could be a spot for a surprise, but the talent of the Golden Eagles is just too strong for Kansas, who suffer loss No. 1 on the year.
Result: Loss
Game 4: vs West Virginia
Since 2013, the Jayhawks have never been able to crack the Mountaineers. West Virginia should pull away early in this one, leaving the Jayhawks at 2-2 after four games.
Result: Loss
Game 5: at TCU
After suffering the team’s largest loss of the season, it does not get much better for the Jayhawks who are forced to travel to Texas to face the Horned Frogs. This one should not be very close either.
Result: Loss
Game 6: vs Oklahoma
Following three-straight losses, Les Miles is looking for something to spark the team the rest of the way. He will have to continue searching after a fourth-straight loss to Oklahoma.
Result: Loss
Game 7: at Texas
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger and the Texas Longhorns are back towards being competitive once again in college football. The Jayhawks hope to end that dream on the road but fall way short.
Result: Loss
Game 8: vs Texas Tech
Standing at 2-5, the Jayhawks are desperate for a victory. Returning home against the Red Raiders could prove to be a huge game for the future of the school. In an upset, Kansas gets back in the win column.
Result: Win
Game 9: vs Kansas State
The Sunflower Showdown has been dominated by the Kansas State Wildcats for ten straight years with a lot of bad Jayhawk football during that streak. That run is bound to end sometime, and Les Miles is the perfect coach to end it.
Result: Win
Game 10: at Oklahoma State
Rattling off two-straight, the Jayhawks are only one game under .500 heading into a battle against Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State’s air raid attack is just too strong for Kansas.
Result: Loss
Game 11: at Iowa State
In the last two meetings against Iowa State, the Jayhawks have scored a combined three points total. I expect the team to put up a fight, but still unable to win on the road.
Result: Loss
Game 12: vs Baylor
This could be a pretty solid end to a productive season for Les Miles and Kansas, but ultimately Baylor is too strong for the Jayhawks.
Result: Loss