9 Days Until Kansas Football: Worst Case Scenario for the Jayhawks in 2022
We've spent the last 91 days counting down to the return to the field for the Kansas Jayhawks, and in that time, we have covered a whole range of topics. From new attitudes surrounding the program to making picks based on way-too-early first impressions. We've hit a preview of every single opponent on the schedule (including the upcoming previews of Kansas State). We looked through every position on the roster, and updated you on all of the information coming out of camp.
With all of the optimism from the coaching staff and the questions around the conference, it's easy to buy in to the hype and get overly excited coming into the year. But as yesterday's podcast hit on, there is still a dose of reality that could come to this team, and it could hit pretty quickly if the rest of conference has improved at least as much as the Jayhawks.
So with that in mind, let's take a look at that worst version possible of the Kansas Jayhawks this season. While I don't think things will be anywhere near this bad, it's good to prepare for how bad it might look so that we can keep a healthy perspective on the season as it unfolds.
Friday, September 2nd vs Tennessee Tech
While it's definitely possible to envision things going very poorly for the Jayhawks, this team is too talented to lay an egg in the opener. Tennessee Tech is nowhere near as good as some of the teams that have come into Lawrence to pull off big upsets, and Kansas is much deeper and better than previous iterations. The worst case in this game would be a closer-than-expected victory, but there is no way I can see them losing this game.
Worst Case Prediction: 21-17 Win (1-0)
Saturday, September 10th at West Virginia
The biggest question surrounding West Virginia is how well JT Daniels acclimates and elevates the rest of the offense, especially with so many changes in personnel over the offseason. The worst case for Kansas would be that he has immediate chemistry, and the new pieces for the Jayhawks take some time to gel, meaning that Kansas losses a tough one. They keep it close, but ultimately just don't have enough for a fired up West Virginia team that needs a win to save Neal Brown's job.
Worst Case Prediction: 31-21 Loss (1-1)
Saturday, September 17th at #24 Houston
There are a lot of reasons to doubt Houston this season, from the lack of quality opponents during their stretch of improvement last year to the way they absolutely collapsed against Texas Tech to start the year. But there is just as many reasons to be optimistic about this team as they prepare to enter the Big 12, and getting on a roll by exorcising some demons the week before against the Red Raiders could give them a lot of momentum. This one could get ugly.
Worst Case Prediction: 41-13 Loss (1-2)
Saturday, September 24th vs Duke
Last year, the Jayhawks hung tough for two and a half quarters before the offense just couldn't keep up. This year, the defense should be better, and the Blue Devils are learning under a brand new head coach. Kansas SHOULD win this game rather easily, but I'm having a hard time seeing them lose this one, barring catastrophic injuries.
Worst Case Prediction: 27-17 Win (2-2)
Saturday, October 1st vs Iowa State
This is the beginning of where it might get tough. After all, I'm pretty sure everyone remembers the absolute drubbing the Jayhawks took at the hands of the Cyclones.
And don't think that breaking in a new quarterback in Hunter Dekkers and completely revamping a good part of the defensive personnel will mean a bumpy ride. I know a lot of Iowa State people who think Dekkers has a higher upside than Brock Purdy did, and Matt Campbell has shown the ability to reload his defense. And week 5 is plenty of time to work out any kinks.
Worst Case Prediction: 38-14 Loss (2-3)
Saturday, October 8th vs TCU
There are a LOT of questions for this TCU team, and despite some optimism surrounding Sonny Dykes and the new direction of the team, this is still a team that struggled mightily at home against the Jayhawks last year. There will be some time to build some momentum, but they are going to have a rough time here.
That being said, the talent levels between these teams are close enough that Kansas needs to play a really good game. Any down performances, or even just some bad luck, could be enough to swing this one against the home team. And since we are talking worst case scenario, this one definitely could be a loss.
Worst Case Prediction: 27-24 Loss (2-4)
Saturday, October 15th at #9 Oklahoma
C'mon, it's Oklahoma.
Worst Case Prediction: 58-14 Loss (2-5)
Saturday, October 22nd at #10 Baylor
Last year's conference champion on the road, with a supposed upgrade at quarterback and plenty of time to prepare? How many points are possible in a 60 minute game?
Worst Case Prediction: 71-21 Loss (2-6)
Saturday, November 5th vs #12 Oklahoma State
What a brutal stretch for Kansas here. Oklahoma State might be taking a step back this year, but it's not THAT big of a step.
Worst Case Prediction: 42-7 Loss (2-7)
Saturday, November 12th at Texas Tech
Here is where things get interesting again, because this is another team that isn't exponentially more talented than the Jayhawks. And no matter what you think of Joey McGuire and what the future holds for him in Lubbock, it is difficult to hit on all cylinders in year 1, especially when this is your first head coaching job at the college level.
But just because it's unlikely, that doesn't mean that this can't be a really good team towards the end of the year. And in a worst-case scenario, that's a problem.
Worst Case Prediction: 24-23 Loss (2-8)
Saturday, November 19th vs Texas
Texas is either going to be REALLY good, or REALLY bad this year, without much room for anything in the middle. Their recent injuries don't really help matters, but there is a reason that someone picks them to be "back" every season. They have a huge amount of highly rated talent. The question is always how well it executes on the field.
Worst Case Prediction: 48-24 Loss (2-9)
Saturday, November 26th at Kansas State
I'm on record as saying that I don't think this Kansas State team will be very good. But when we are assuming the worst, the Wildcats don't have to be really good to get up for a rivalry game that can save a disappointing season.
Add in that this is Senior Day on the road right after Thanksgiving, and things could get ugly quickly.
Worst Case Prediction: 35-14 Loss (2-10)
Overall Thoughts
So ultimately, the worst-case scenario isn't a pretty picture. There are a bunch of ugly blowouts, and some heartbreaking losses to teams that aren't really that much more talented than Kansas. But even in this worst case scenario, there is room for progress. I know that I would be disappointed with a 2-10 record, especially with some of these scorelines, but it's impossible to know just how difficult it is going to be to mesh this team together on the playing field.
Next week we'll hit the optimistic view of how the season might go, and we'll do a full season preview along with predictions from all of our staff here at the site, so make sure you tune in!
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