Way-too-early predictions for Kansas Football in 2024, part 3

For the 2024 season, the Kansas Jayhawks are one of the favorites for a spot in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship. And in the first two parts of our Way Too Early Predictions, they have fared very well, with a record of 7-1. But will they be able to close out a near-perfect season?

The Jayhawks are on a two-game winning streak behind the Cyclones, something you may find hard to believe if you’ve followed these teams at any point in the last decade. There have been multiple issues offensively for the Cyclones over the past two seasons, and Kansas was able to take advantage of them both seasons.

But the defense is always stout in Ames, and there’s no expectation that will change as long as Jon Heacock leads that defense. The big difference here is that despite current questions, I expect the incoming talent for the front seven will have fled to Kansas, and the offensive firepower will be outsized. This will probably give the worst “home game” feeling as Cyclone fans always travel well to Kansas City. But Kansas gets it done.

There is a lot of continuity and a lot of potential on offense for TCU, but there are certainly concerns about the offensive line. It’s an area where Kansas should be able to find a weakness, and talented skill position players can’t do much if the line can’t hold up. Give me a strong Jayhawk team that is excited about playing in Arrowhead for the first time.

Prediction: Kansas 27, Iowa State 20.

Going to Provo late in the fall could be disastrous for your health as a team, especially if this is a night game. But BYU has a lot of questions throughout the team and there are no immediate answers. Kedon Slovis has had problems in the passing game, but transfer Gerry Bohanon won’t really improve. But the running game needs to improve, both from the quarterback and running back positions.

Kansas’ defense should be able to hold off a struggling Cougars offense, but expect the height to take just a little bit away from Kansas’ offense. The Jayhawks have a great night from Neal on the floor, but otherwise it’s somewhat uneventful.

Prediction: Kansas 24, BYU 14

Primetime is coming to Arrowhead. And there is also a football match. Say what you will about the fanbase raving about Deion Sanders’ coaching at the school, but there’s still a long way to go for this team, and their coach’s blunder doesn’t necessarily seem to be translating to the field .

On Senior Day, for the last time in front of a home crowd, Jalon Daniels, Cobee Bryant, Mello Dotson, Devin Neal and more will hit the road. Kansas with a million.

Prediction: Kansas 49, Colorado 17

Will the Bears play for Dave Aranda’s job? Or will his fate already be sealed at this point. Kansas will likely need this game to reach Arlington for the Big 12 Championship.

Baylor may have a chance to be a pretty good team this year, but that’s far from a guarantee. And Kansas should have the firepower to win their final GME on the road for the second straight season.

Prediction: Kansas 38, Baylor 21

So all in all, our way-too-early predictions have the Jayhawks finishing with an 11-1 record, including 10-1 in conference. That should be plenty good enough to put them in the Big 12 Championship game, where they could face one of the three opponents they missed this season (Arizona, Utah and Oklahoma State) or a rematch against the only team to beat them. State of Kansas. And waiting after that is a pretty good shot at the first-ever College Football Playoff berth.

It’s all doable for the Jayhawks this season, and that’s something very important to think about considering this schedule was just a few years ago.