The Big 12 may be headed for the most unpredictable season in recent college football memory, so the predictions from the experts are all over the map. There are at least half a dozen teams that believe they can win the Big 12, if not more. And one of those six is getting some love from an ESPN favorite.
The latest to chime in is ESPN host Rece Davis, who is picking the Kansas Jayhawks to land the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff.
On the latest episode of the “College GameDay Podcast, Davis said, “I’ll say in the Big 12, they’re not going to get the three-seed according to me, they will be the fourth seed. I think the Big 12 champion will be the Kansas Jayhawks. I mean, you think about what this would mean historically, their last conference title was in 1968 in the Big Eight.”
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Daniels has recorded 4,297 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 602 rushing yards, and 13 rushing touchdowns for the Jayhawks. Davis is confident that Daniels, if healthy, can lead Kansas to the promise land and punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff.
“This could be the wrongest prediction that ever wrongest, wronged if Jalon Daniels does not stay healthy,” Davis continued. “That has been a massive issue for the last couple of years now.”
Daniels is surrounded by a cavalcade of great skill players, led by running back Devin Neal, who rushed for 1,280 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. The top three receivers from a season ago — Lawrence Arnold, Quinton Skinner and Luke Grimm — are also back.
Kansas only has two returning starters on the offensive line and that’s the position group to watch this season. It’s possible that both starters on the left side of the line are freshmen. The Jayhawks must also adjust to new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.
Kansas will open the season against Lindenwood on Aug. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
