Kansas gets one more chance to clean things up before Big 12 play begins, and the margin for error is already thin. The Jayhawks return home Saturday to face Middle Tennessee in the final game of their non-conference slate, looking to steady a 1-2 start that has left them with more frustration than results.
The record tells the story plainly: a win over Long Island, then losses to Missouri and Arizona State. Kansas was in position to win both defeats, but turnovers and other mistakes kept slipping the game away. If the Jayhawks want any realistic shot at reaching six wins, they have to do a better job taking care of the ball and executing with more consistency.
Even with the rough start, the defense has held up well. Opponents have scored eight touchdowns on KU this season, but six of those came directly off turnovers and special teams miscues that left the defense defending a short field. Under those conditions, the unit has done plenty to keep Kansas in games.
That’s why Saturday carries the feel of a must-win, even with the season still in its early stages. If Kansas has any hope of making a bowl game, this is the kind of game it needs to handle.
The Jayhawks and Blue Raiders will meet at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence on Saturday, October 3, with kickoff set for 11 am. Kansas will be looking for the home crowd to make an impact and turn the stadium into a true advantage.
The game will air on ESPN News and can be streamed on FuboTV or Disney, both with subscriptions required.
BetMGM lists Kansas as a 19.5-point favorite. The Jayhawks are -1200 on the money line, while Middle Tennessee sits at +825. The over/under is 50.5.
Weather should not be a problem. Weatherbug projects a sunny to partly sunny day in Lawrence, with a kickoff temperature of 61 degrees that should climb to around 70 by the end of the game. A light seven miles per hour breeze is also expected.
In Other News...
Kansas Backfield Trouble Just Got Harder To Ignore
Kansas already had reason to worry about its ground game, and the timing of the latest setback only sharpened the concern. The Jayhawks have seen their rushing offense slide badly from where it was in 2023, and they are trying to piece together answers while averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. With a home game against Middle Tennessee on deck, the backfield picture has become a major talking point around a team that needs more stability on offense.
The latest change came with Yasin Willis expected to be out the rest of the season after surgery, a blow that forces Kansas to reshuffle its options yet again. The Jayhawks responded by adding Chase Belcher and moving Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman to running back, a sign of how thin things have become as the team looks for workable depth and a more reliable rotation heading into another important stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Suddenly Need An Unlikely Answer In The Backfield
Kansas football has had to reshuffle its running back room after a likely season-ending injury to Yasin Willis, a setback that leaves the Jayhawks searching for answers sooner than expected. To help stabilize the position, the staff added Chase Belcher, giving the offense another body as it tries to absorb the loss and keep the backfield from thinning out further.
One of the more interesting moves has come with Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman, who was brought in from Iowa State and is now working in the backfield after spending his time on the other side of the ball. The switch gives Kansas a wild card with size and athletic traits that coaches clearly believe can translate, but how quickly he can turn that potential into actual game-time help remains the real question. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Special Teams Problem Is Starting To Cost The Jayhawks
Kansas special teams issues have gone from a nuisance to a real part of the weekly conversation, and the problems are showing up in more than one phase. Kicking has been uneven, punting has lacked consistency, and even when the Jayhawks have created a spark in the return game, they have not been able to balance it out with steady execution on the other side.
The biggest concern is the hidden yardage, because the Jayhawks are giving away too much field position and too many chances for opponents to take control of a game. Martin Connington has already had his share of long-range misses, Matt Gill has had some rough moments flipping the field, and the kickoff coverage unit has been especially vulnerable, leaving Kansas with a special teams issue that is starting to affect the bigger picture. [Read more 🡒]