The Kansas Jayhawks are diving headfirst into their 2026 offseason with spring practice kicking off, setting the stage for another year under the guidance of Lance Leipold. As he enters his sixth season, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this team will shape up in the competitive Big 12.
Reflecting on last season, the Jayhawks wrapped up with a 5-7 record, marking another year without a bowl game appearance. Despite standout performances from players like wide receiver Emannuel Henderson Jr. and quarterback Jalon Daniels, the team struggled in key areas. Their red zone offense, ranked 124th in efficiency at 71.79 percent, and a defense giving up an average of 28.5 points per game, proved to be significant hurdles.
The SP+ rankings, a measure of team efficiency that adjusts for tempo and opponent strength, offer some insight into Kansas' standing. ESPN’s Bill Connelly explains that SP+ is designed to predict sustainable aspects of football performance rather than simply ranking past results.
Kansas finds itself ranked 57th overall with a 3.7 SP+ rating. Offensively, they sit at 51st in the nation, while their defense ranks 70th.
The return of offensive playcaller Andy Kotelnicki seems to have bolstered their offensive prospects, although the quarterback situation remains a bit murky with Cole Ballard, Isaiah Marshall, and Rice transfer Chase Jenkins all in the mix. Kotelnicki's previous stint with the Jayhawks brought success, providing some optimism for the upcoming season.
Within the Big 12, Kansas ranks 12th, ahead of teams like UCF, Iowa State, Colorado, and West Virginia. The Big 12 itself is rated as the third-best conference nationally, trailing only the SEC and Big Ten. The Red Raiders lead the conference with a remarkable SP+ of 23.1, placing them seventh in the nation.
The rankings seem to reflect Kansas' mixed performances last season. The Jayhawks showed flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency in crucial moments, such as late-game collapses against Missouri and Cincinnati, cost them dearly. Similarly, poor fourth quarters against Arizona and Utah, where they were outscored 28-7, turned potential victories into disappointing losses.
Until Kansas can consistently convert these close calls into wins, the SP+ rankings seem to capture their current reality accurately. The upcoming season presents an opportunity for the Jayhawks to turn potential into performance and climb the ranks in the Big 12.