2026 Kansas Football Preview
Jake Wimberly
Abby Boyd Contributing-
What’s to like:
Kansas should once again be able to rely on its running game. The Jayhawks have developed a physical rushing attack that allows them to control the tempo and keep pressure off the passing game. Being able to consistently run the football also gives Kansas a way to control games when the offense isn't making many big plays through the air.
Kansas has also continued improving its overall roster, giving Lance Leipold more talent to work with than when he first took over the program. The Jayhawks have become a legitimate Big 12 contender, and the experience they've gained through recent success should help them handle the expectations that come with it.
What’s not to like:
Kansas needs more consistency defensively. The Jayhawks have shown they can play well for stretches, but giving up too many big plays can put the offense in difficult situations. Improving overall defensive consistency will be important against some of the conference's better offenses.
Creating more turnovers is another area that needs to improve. Kansas can't always rely on its offense to win games, and getting extra possessions from the defense would make the team more difficult to beat. Even a small improvement in the turnover margin could make a difference over the course of the season.
What does the Hourglass say?
Kansas- Big 12 (5-7)
Power ranking 42.4.
2026 Kansas Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #43- outside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Lance Leipold- 17th in Power 5 and 1st in the Big 12.
2026 coaching value= 29.9 (average 2026 Power 5 coaching value=21.93) Lance Leipold is ranked higher of the pack for coaches in the Power 5.
Quarterback Play: Cole Ballard- ranked 52nd in the Power 4, 15th in the Big 12; 2026 QB value= 23 (Power 4 average- 26.43).
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Kansas has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of . This puts the Jayhawks at the lower tier for the Big 12 in this metric.
Final Thoughts:
Kansas has developed into a team that can control games with its running attack, and the Jayhawks have continued adding talent to the roster. The defense remains the biggest question, particularly when it comes to creating turnovers and preventing opponents from making big plays. If Kansas can become more reliable on that side of the ball, it has enough offense to compete with the better teams in the conference.
2026 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
9/4/26 LIU- Win
9/11/26 Missouri- Loss
9/19/26 Arizona State- Win
10/3/26 Middle Tennessee- Win
10/10/26 At Utah- Loss
10/17/26 At Kansas State- Loss
10/24/26 Baylor- Loss
10/31/26 At TCU- Loss
11/7/26 UCF- Win
11/14/26 At West Virginia- Loss
11/21/26 BYU- Win
11/28/26 At Oklahoma State- Loss
