Preview magazine season is here as we roll into the back half of June, and college football fans begin to set their eyes on the things to come in the year ahead.
Along with Phil Steele and Lindy’s, Athlon Sports has made a name for itself as one of the giants in the preview magazine business, cementing itself as a mainstay on grocery store shelves across the nation.
This magazine, in particular, has long had a segment during this part of the season when they ask coaches anonymously about the other schools in their league.
It’s here where we’ll take a look at what one Big 12 coach has to say about the Kansas Jayhawks.
Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks enter the 2024 season as legitimate Big 12 title contenders for the first time in nearly two decades, and with what’s coming back from last year’s squad, there’s pleny of reason to believe that this could be a special year for the folks in Lawrence.
One Big 12 coach says that keeping Lance Leipold around was the best move than anyone made all season, and with what they have coming back, Kansas deserves to be in the conversation.
“The school locking down Lance [Leipold] is the biggest move of their entire offseason,” a Big 12 coach told Athlon Sports. “He is going to be rumored for everything that opens, but they’re aiming to win the league and go to the playoff. At that program, from where it started, that is nothing short of amazing. This coaching staff has created one of the greatest turnaround stories in college football.
“[Jalon] Daniels is a proven talent at quarterback, and they have some great running backs. This is a season where they should be considered a Big 12 title contender. They have depth, experience and talent.”
According to ESPN’s FPI, the Jayhawks have the No. 77 strength of schedule in the country, which ranks ahead of only Rutgers (No. 78), Virginia Tech (No. 79), and Syracuse (No. 82) among Power Four schools.
Combine that with the return of Jalon Daniels, Devin Neal, and KU’s top pass catchers, and you’ve got a team that could legitimately run the table and earn a top four seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The Jayhawks begin their season against FCS opponent Lindenwood on Thursday, August 29, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
