Best Case Scenario for the Kansas Jayhawks in 2022: 2 Days Until Kansas Football
Last week I did my least favorite article of the entire countdown: looking at the worst possible scenario for how the Jayhawks will perform this season. It was difficult to figure out exactly how bad was "too" bad, but we did it.
But over the course of the countdown, we've stumbled upon a LOT of reasons why you should be optimistic about this season.
From the difference in the feel of this program to multiple optimistic camp updates to the increase in depth at every position, it's really easy to talk yourself into this season being a big step forward.
So with that in mind, let's take a look at just how good things might be for the Kansas Jayhawks this season. A reminder that this scenario will not assume any sort of injuries or other suspensions/absences for key players, but other than that everything is on the table.
Friday, September 2nd vs Tennessee Tech
The Kansas Jayhawks are more talented than Tennessee Tech at every position, and the visitors are a middling team in a REALLY bad FCS division. Kansas will not only win this one big, but they also get to rotate through an insanely high number of players.
Best Case Prediction: 49-10 Win (1-0)
Saturday, September 10th at West Virginia
For all the talent that West Virginia added this season, they also lost a surprising amount. While a lot of that balances out, there are still a lot of questions surrounding the team. With a big rivalry game in week 1 against Pitt, it's easy to see the possibility that this become a let down game for them.
Add in that the Jayhawks were able to get a lot of guys some real game reps in Week 1, and they are able to turn that success into a real streak.
Best Case Prediction: 27-24 Win (2-0)
Saturday, September 17th at #24 Houston
Houston absolutely should win this game. They have more top end talent at key positions, and they are ranked for a good reason. But they have a brutal game against Texas Tech the week before, and a second straight loss to the Red Raiders could be a big problem for their momentum, especially if it's another painful loss where they give up a big lead.
That said, it's hard to see Kansas pulling this one out, even in a best case scenario.
Best Case Prediction: 31-27 Loss (2-1)
Saturday, September 24th vs Duke
Kansas is more talented than Duke. They played better than Duke in Durham last season, but their lack of depth lost them the game as they faded in the second half. There are none of those issues this year. This is the deepest Kansas team in a decade, and they should be able to take advantage of the Blue Devils for a big win.
Best Case Prediction: 38-17 Win (3-1)
Saturday, October 1st vs Iowa State
First, let me remind you this is a BEST case scenario for the Jayhawks. With that huge caveat out of the way, the best case for Kansas is that they have built up a lot of momentum to this point in the season, with the ability to pivot a few ways to be successful. The infusion of talented players that can read the opponent's offensive sets gives them more freedom against a Hunter Dekker's led offense.
Iowa State has enough new pieces that they are still trying to figure out how to get everything to click. Plus, it's only one day into October and Purdy is no longer here for some Brocktober magic. The Jayhawks barely squeak by with an impressive goal-line stand.
Best Case Prediction: 28-24 Win (4-1)
Saturday, October 8th vs TCU
TCU is still trying to figure out who the starting quarterback will be, and the beginning of the season has not provided any clarity. Neither quarterback can really separate themselves from the other, and the uncertainty is fed by uneven play.
While the defense took a nosedive last season, there is no guarantee that it will automatically improve. And there are plenty of personnel questions that it's tough to see how they answer ALL of them by his point in the season. Kansas is rolling and Leipold is already starting to get some chatter as a serious national coach of the year candidate.
Best Case Prediction: 21-17 Win (5-1)
Saturday, October 15th at #9 Oklahoma
Sure, bowl eligibility is on the line here, but even an Oklahoma team that is rebuilding is going to be too much for Kansas to handle in Norman.
Best Case Prediction: 38-28 Loss (5-2)
Saturday, October 22nd at #10 Baylor
Sure, the best case scenario involves the Bears coming back to earth a bit. And it's entirely possible that a team jumps up to bite them this year. But Kansas does not match up well against this Baylor defense, and I'm not convinced that Kansas can do enough to keep Aranda from figuring out what they are up to.
Best Case Prediction: 42-24 Loss (5-3)
Saturday, November 5th vs #12 Oklahoma State
I don't see a good enough reason to think that it's even remotely likely that the Oklahoma State defense is significantly worse this year. And the Oklahoma State offense may struggle, but even a hugely improved Kansas defense won't be able to completely stop them. If that's the case, the Jayhawk offense will have to be flawless, and that's just too much to ask.
Best Case Prediction: 21-17 Loss (5-4)
Saturday, November 12th at Texas Tech
Joey McGuire is going to be a great coach for Texas Tech. I'm absolutely certain of that. But he is also in his first year as a college head coach, and he's dealing with a roster that includes an injury prone quarterback and a lot of guys with potential that just haven't quite been able to put it all together.
I don't think McGuire can fix that all in less than a season. And with bowl eligibility on the line for the fourth straight week, this team finally breaks through.
Best Case Prediction: 27-21 Win (6-4)
Saturday, November 19th vs Texas
Texas has been so hyped that they are either going to live up to all their expectations, or they are going to collapse spectacularly. In this scenario, everything falls apart. Coming into the game 4-6, they need two wins to limp into a bowl game and let Sark keep his job.
Kansas gets their second Longhorn coach fired in 7 seasons.
Best Case Prediction: 42-21 Win (7-4)
Saturday, November 26th at Kansas State
At this point, everything is all gravy. Kansas has clinched a bowl game, a second straight victory over Texas, and they now have a chance to stick it to their in-conference rival.
Adrian Martinez has been less than impressive, and while Deuce Vaughn has carried them admirably, the weight of those responsibilities is just too much.
Kansas finds a way to end the streak of Kansas State dominance, and Lance Leipold has wrapped up the national coach of the year award.
Best Case Prediction: 38-27 Win (8-4)
Postseason
The Jayhawks draw an SEC opponent that decides that because it isn't the college football playoff that it isn't worth their time. Kansas rolls to finish with their best record since the 2008 Orange Bowl.
Overall Thoughts
Is this a realistic outcome? Of course not. But the idea here is just as much to highlight the possibilities in each of these games as it is to talk about how these results can snowball.
As you'll see tomorrow, my real prediction isn't quite this optimistic, but I tried to pull some realistic scenarios in individual games to set the range of possibilities for the Jayhawk opponents (independent of the play by Kansas).
Will all of this happen? Absolutely not. But it's fund to dream about what could be, and there is no better time to do that than right as the season is about to begin.
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