2021 Kansas Jayhawks: Break the Losing Streak

KU is in the same place their hated rivals in Manhattan were until Bill Snyder saved the day in 1989. Consider these stats from 2010 through 2020: Their overall record is 21-108 and in the Big-12 Conference they are 6-91. They are in the middle of a 13-game losing streak so I would think the goal for 2021 would be win a damn game. To make matters worse, a scandal involving Coach Les Miles and. AD, Jeff Long developed this past spring and led to their dismissals from the program. Miraculously, the Jayhawks were able to entice former Buffalo (not the Bills but the Bulls) coach, Lance Leopold to Lawrence and and he was hired one day before the spring game. While it appears to be a very good choice, can he do what Snyder did at K-State? Anything is possible I guess.

Offense: There are two QBs who have experience but it is hard to judge their talents since they spent most of their time dodging would-be tacklers or looking up at the sky from their backs. Jalen Daniels was the starter from the spring but we shall see what the new staff thinks. Velton Gardner is a decent running back and there are others who could also help. Kwamie Lassiter showed promise at wide receiver in 2020. The offensive line returns 3 starters but was overmatched by most opponents.

Defense: There is some positive news on defense. LB, Kyron Johnson played well at times last year and returns with his 42 tackles. The defensive line has experience and returns 3 starters but they were average at best. The secondary may be the strength of the this unit. Kenny Logan Jr., Karon Prunty, and Ricky Thomas have the ability to make plays.

Non-Conference Schedule:

9/4 South Dakota

9/11 at Coastal Carolina

9/25 at Duke

If I was on the coaching staff, I would attach a note to each player’s locker saying prepare as hard as you ever have, and let’s beat South Dakota. They have to win that game. The games at Coastal Carolina and even Duke will be possible wins but not likely.

Conference Schedule:

9/18 Baylor

10/2 at Iowa State

10/16 Texas Tech

10/23 Oklahoma

10/30 at Oklahoma State

11/6 Kansas State

11/13 at Texas

11/20 at TCU

11/27 West Virginia

When reviewing the schedule, I was looking for any game I thought the Hawks might be able to win. Their home schedule has three possibilities. Baylor, Texas Tech, and West Virginia are games they will have some sort of chance in. They might be able to get some turnovers and sneak out a win.

Summary: Getting Lance Leopold was as good as hire as they could expect since it was so late when he signed on. I might have had him take a test with a psychiatrist to see if he was mentally fit because I don’t know why he would take the job. I guess a pay raise helps. But, by the middle of October, he might be wishing he was shoveling snow back in Buffalo. This is a year where the Jayhawks try and build some kind of foundation for the future and hope they can beat South Dakota in the opener and break the losing streak. Anything else they accomplish is a bonus.

Predicted Finish: 10th Place in the Big-12

Overall Record: 1-11