Game-by-game picks for Kansas football’s 2023 season, plus five bold predictions

The Kansas football team is adamant that last year’s Liberty Bowl appearance — KU’s first bowl game in 14 years — wasn’t a fluke.

Big 12 media members aren’t so sure, picking KU to finish ninth in the conference. The Jayhawks, though, say they don’t care about what other people think.

“Let them have their opinion,” quarterback Jalon Daniels told The Star in July. “It doesn’t matter to us. Honestly, the only opinion that matters to us is our opinion.”

The internal belief system is certainly high, and that’s half the battle. Let’s see if belief matches the on-field product in year three of coach Lance Leipold’s tenure.

Here are five bold predictions for KU’s upcoming season and game-by-game picks.

1. Jalon Daniels will be a Heisman finalist

Daniels found himself in Heisman contention for the first five weeks of last season after leading KU to a 5-0 start, but then he injured his shoulder in KU’s 38-31 loss to TCU.

Daniels put together a memorable season last year in just nine games — throwing for 2,014 passing yards with 18 passing touchdowns and four interceptions while running for 425 yards and seven more touchdowns.

Not to mention, he ended the season by breaking multiple Liberty Bowl records against Arkansas.

A lot of Daniels’ Heisman contention will depend on health, but I expect KU’s coaching staff to do everything in their power to put him in position to play every game.

KU’s coaching staff has raved about the work Daniels has put in since the bowl loss, so look for that to come to fruition this season.

2. The Jayhawks’ defensive line will struggle early

After the departure of sack leader Lonnie Phelps, KU’s biggest question has been how it will pressure opposing quarterbacks. KU’s coaching staff attempted to answer that question by bringing in transfer defensive linemen Dylan Brooks, Gage Keys, Devin Phillips and Austin Booker.

I expect the defensive line to be improved this season because the size and athleticism the transfers bring, but there should be some growing pains early. At this point, there isn’t a clear-cut player on the defensive line that can consistently bring pressure. Former top-100 recruit Dylan Brooks is a potential long-term option, but there’s no guarantee he even starts.

Look for the defensive line to be shuffled around in the first few weeks to find the right combination of run-stoppers and players who can get to the quarterback. I don’t think KU’s defensive line will look stable until conference play.

3. Most of Jason Bean’s snaps will not be at QB

Bean is back for a fifth and final season with KU, but he says he isn’t back for redemption — after sailing a pass in KU’s Liberty Bowl loss. KU’s coaching staff placed Bean at multiple different roles this spring, including kick returner, to try to take advantage of his speed.

I expect KU offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to get creative and use Bean in as many different roles and offensive sets as possible — as long as Daniels is healthy.

4. Sean Snyder will make a difference

In April, KU hired Sean Snyder, son of legendary Kansas State coach Bill Snyder, as special assistant to the head coach. Hiring Snyder was a genius move in two parts — first, it annoys the fan base of KU’s biggest conference rival, and second (and more seriously), Snyder is an excellent addition.

Snyder will help the Jayhawks, perhaps no more than with the special teams department. He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as USC’s special teams coordinator and has a long history of accolades in that role, both at USC and elsewhere.

KU’s special teams ranked No. 128 in ESPN’s SP+ ( a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency) last season, so there’s plenty of room for improvement. Not to mention, Kansas ranked last in the Big 12 field-goal percentage (53.8%). Between the addition of Snyder and transfer kicker Seth Keller, I expect the Jayhawks’ special teams to be vastly improved.

5. Cobee Bryant’s tendency to gamble will be an issue

Last season, Cobee Bryant was only Jayhawk to earn All-Big 12 first-team honors. He finished with 34 tackles and three interceptions in 11 games.

Bryant is a good player, but he has a tendency to gamble on plays. It worked more often than not last season, but its a lot to ask for it to work again this year. I think his play style is a recipe for an inconsistent season — and he could have some struggles, though his counting stats may be impressive.

However, if he reins in his risk-taking, there could be a happy medium that gives the KU defense consistency and helps the unit improve.

Game-by-game predictions

Game 1 vs. Missouri State

KU’s schedule is brutal this season, but the real challenge begins after Week 1. Not only is Missouri State an FCS school, but they finished No. 8 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season.

If all goes well, Kansas’ coaching staff will closely evaluate how third-string quarterback Cole Ballard looks the entire second half.

Prediction: Kansas (1-0)

Game 2 vs. Illinois

All eyes will be on Kansas in Week 2 as it faces Illinois. On Monday, the Fighting Illini named Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer as the team’s starting quarterback.

Last season, KU ranked No. 127 in the nation in total defense and doesn’t want to be the ”weak link in the chain,” so this will be a good test for Kansas. I still expect the Jayhawks to win this one.

Prediction: Kansas (2-0)

Game 3 at Nevada

This is Kansas’ first road game of the season. The Wolfpack finished at the bottom of the Mountain West last season but should be much improved.

KU should be road favorites in this game, but this is the type of game before the arrival of Leipold that the Jayhawks would lose. KU shouldn’t lose this game because, even with a new quarterback under the helm, Nevada will struggle to keep up with the Jayhawks’ offense.

Prediction: Kansas (3-0)

Game 4 vs. BYU

Kansas begins conference play at home against Big 12 newcomer BYU. The Cougars’ defense struggled last season, so they hired a new defensive coordinator and brought in multiple transfers.

Still, Daniels will be a tough matchup for a defense that will be finding its footing. The Jayhawks should leave David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium as the victors.

Prediction: Kansas (4-0)

Game 5 at Texas

Funny things happen to Kansas in Austin, like KU beating UT 57-56 in 2021. Still, Texas is the favorite to win the Big 12 — with good reason. UT has talent on both sides of the ball, with nine players making the preseason All-Big 12 first team.

Expect this game to be a shootout, but the Longhorns should win.

Prediction: Texas (Kansas’ record: 4-1)

Game 6 vs. UCF

UCF is the best school of the four coming to the Big 12, so this will be a good chance for KU to bounce back after a likely Texas loss. After finishing second in the AAC, don’t expect the Knights to be that high against much better competition.

Last season, UCF struggled to defend dual-threat quarterbacks — so look for Daniels to carve up the Knights’ defense. As long as Daniels is under helm, Kansas should roll to victory.

Prediction: Kansas (5-1)

Game 7 at Oklahoma State

Kansas hasn’t beat Oklahoma State in Stillwater since 2007, so history isn’t on the Jayhawks’ side in this matchup. Still, this might be KU’s best chance in years to do so — as OSU is a middle-of-the-road football team. I expect a close game but a Kansas win.

Prediction: Kansas (6-1)

Game 8 vs. Oklahoma

KU hasn’t beaten Oklahoma in 18 years, but the closest they’ve come has been under Leipold. Last year, Kansas lost 52-42. Playing the Sooners in Lawrence is a massive help, so look for Kansas to hand OU an L before the Sooners depart for the SEC.

Prediction: Kansas (7-1)

Game 9 at Iowa State

Iowa State is perhaps the worst team in the conference given the current gambling scandal the program is facing. QB Hunter Dekkers, who’s accused of “tampering with records,” hasn’t even participated in fall camp. Simply said, ISU is a mess. Despite the game being played in Ames, Kansas should have zero issues vs. the Cyclones.

Prediction: Kansas (8-1)

Game 10 vs. Texas Tech

Texas Tech is a dark-horse candidate to win the Big 12, so this will be a tough matchup. The only way KU wins is if it can slow down the potent Red Raiders offense, which is a tall task.

Prediction: Texas Tech (Kansas 8-2)

Game 11 vs. K-State

Kansas hasn’t beaten K-State since 2009, so it’s been 14 years of losing. With Daniels in his senior season and KU’s running back duo of Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw fully healthy, this might be the Jayhawks’ best chance in years to win.

As long as that trio is healthy, Kansas has a chance. Still, it’ll have to limit mistakes against a talented Kansas State team. The margin might be less than a touchdown.

Prediction K-State (Kansas 8-3)

Game 12 at Cincinnati

After losing two straight conference games, look for the Jayhawks to get right against the Bearcats. In what could be the final game of Daniels and Neal in KU jerseys, look for them to shine.

Prediction: Kansas

Final record: 9-3