It’s a brand new yr. Each workforce begins the season 0-0. The Kansas Jayhawks wish to show doubters incorrect. Can they make sufficient progress to alter the notion of their soccer program as a complete? That’s all a part of the enjoyable.

Tennessee Tech at Kansas, September 2nd

It is a should win for the Kansas Jayhawks. Tennessee Tech is an FCS faculty and one which doesn’t have an excellent soccer program at that. They completed the 2021 season 3-8. Whereas which may be a greater report than Kansas had in 2021, they didn’t must run via a tricky Huge 12 schedule.

Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks might be ready and able to make a press release in Week 1. I’m
taking the Jayhawks.

Kansas 42, Tenn Tech 14

Kansas at West Virginia, September tenth

Leaping into Huge 12 play in Week 2 is hard. West Virginia has plenty of query marks heading into the season. The Mountaineers seem to be a workforce that might get higher because the season goes, however perhaps not a lot in week two. I’m predicting Kansas will “shock the world” on this matchup, placing them again on the school soccer map after a 2-0 begin to the season. I don’t suppose Jalon Daniels might be on any early season Heisman watch lists or something like that, however his play will elevate the Jayhawks to an enormous highway win at West Virginia!

Kansas 31, West Virginia 28

Kansas at Houston, September seventeenth

A future Huge 12 opponent is on deck! This could possibly be a enjoyable highway journey to Houston to take a look at a workforce that might be becoming a member of the convention subsequent yr. The Cougars are coming off a spectacular season. They went 12-2, narrowly dropping to Cincinnati, a Faculty Soccer Playoff workforce and one other future Huge 12 foe. They defeated Auburn of their bowl sport to shut the season.

If all goes based on plan, each groups might be 2-0 heading into this matchup. Houston is a preseason High 25 workforce, so this might be a stable highway check for KU. I don’t suppose the Jayhawks may have what it takes to tug off the upset on this one. Coming off an enormous highway win at West Virginia the week prior, pulling off one other massive upset on back-to-back weeks could be a tall activity.

Houston 34, Kansas 17

Duke at Kansas, September twenty fourth

Two powerhouse applications — in basketball. They may meet later this fall on the courtroom within the Champions Basic, however for now, they meet on the gridiron at David Sales space Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. In line with a majority of consultants, neither workforce is projected to be nice this season, which makes for a really intriguing matchup.

It’s a house sport for the Jayhawks, so I’m leaning their course on this one. Devin Neal goes wild for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a detailed victory.

Kansas 27, Duke 24

Iowa State at Kansas, October 1st

Iowa State is a program who noticed a resurgence a few years in the past below head coach Matt Campbell. Final yr they had been alleged to compete for the Huge 12 championship they usually fell means in need of expectations. Possibly they’re flying below the radar this season, however I don’t suppose anybody has them in that dialogue as a prime tier Huge 12 workforce this yr.

In recent times, KU has been a simple win on the schedule, however not anymore. Regardless of being 3-1 heading into this matchup, Iowa State might be pondering they’ll stroll into Lawrence and choose up a W. Like the nice Lee Corso says each week on ESPN’s Faculty Gameday, “Not so quick my good friend!”

Jalon Daniels goes to guide a sport profitable drive within the two minute drill to place the Jayhawks on prime for good close to the top of the sport. Kansas goes to proceed their shock begin to the season with one other victory at house, this time over the Cyclones, and transfer to 4-1 on the yr.

Kansas 24, Iowa State 20

TCU at Kansas, October eighth

For TCU, this sport is about between their matchups in opposition to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. That might not be important to some, however these two groups are anticipated to compete for the Huge 12 Championship.

Regardless of KU’s 4-1 report, as soon as once more, TCU is a workforce that could possibly be overlooking the Jayhawks as they head into Lawrence for an early October matchup. TCU needs to be the higher workforce, however Kansas might be using excessive into this sport. It is going to be one other shut one, which makes me lean towards the house workforce. The house ambiance for the Jayhawks performs into their fingers because the seats begin filling in when the profitable picks up. They may shock the world as soon as once more.

Kansas 34, TCU 30

Kansas at Oklahoma, October fifteenth

The streak ends right here. After a 3 sport profitable streak, and a 3-0 begin to the season, the Sooners will crush the Jayhawks hopes of clinching a bowl berth in mid-October. Oklahoma’s athleticism and play making capability win the day on this one. Regardless of a superb effort from the Jayhawks, they’ll fall quick.

Oklahoma 52, Kansas 21

Kansas at Baylor, October twenty second

The powerful stretch of the schedule is in full-swing. Baylor, the defending Huge 12 champion, is predicted to be a contender once more this season.

Kansas is a greater soccer workforce now than they had been earlier than the season started, however they’re nonetheless a bit down the totem pole from the highest tier groups within the convention. This might be one other highway loss for the Jayhawks and Baylor will win massive.

Baylor 49, Kansas 17

BYE

Oklahoma State at Kansas, November fifth

Oklahoma State is one other workforce that’s within the higher tier of the Huge 12 with convention title hopes. Kansas will put up a superb struggle, coming off the bye week and getting the Cowboys at house. Nevertheless, KU has a methods to go earlier than they’ll bounce into dialog with the Huge 12 elite. Nonetheless, a stable effort right here will fall simply quick on this early November matchup at house.

Oklahoma State 38, Kansas 31

Kansas at Texas Tech, November twelfth

It is a sport that could possibly be nearer than some will suppose heading into it. The Purple Raiders received massive in Lawrence final yr and ended the season on a excessive observe with an enormous bowl win over Mississippi State. The Jayhawks ought to have the ability to put up some factors however will they’ve sufficient to cease the excessive flying Purple Raider offense? I don’t suppose I can provide them this highway win in Lubbock this season.

Texas Tech 45, Kansas 28

Texas at Kansas, November nineteenth

All eyes might be on the rematch from final yr’s shocker of the season. As many bear in mind, Kansas pulled out the stunner in Austin, Texas and the Longhorns might be out for revenge this yr in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Jayhawks, regardless of dropping 4 in a row, might be assured of their capability to beat Texas for a second consecutive season. They’re within the heads of the Longhorn Nation.

It’s going to come right down to defensive execution. Kansas has proven they’ll rating factors, in order that they’ll have to get stops. I believe the Jayhawks will just do sufficient to win it on a walk-off discipline objective, giving this system their first bowl eligible season since 2009 and sending Lawrence, Kansas right into a tizzy. They’ll be taking the goalposts to Mass Avenue after this win.

Kansas 38, Texas 35

Kansas at Kansas State, November twenty sixth

It’s the Sunflower Showdown and The Governor’s Cup is on the road. KU leads the all-time collection 65-41-5, however hasn’t received within the rivalry sport since 2009. Now that the Jayhawks are using excessive off the win over Texas and turning into bowl eligible, they don’t have any stress on this sport.

Kansas State could possibly be a darkish horse contender within the Huge 12, and a spot within the Huge 12 title sport could possibly be on the road for the Wildcats.

May the Jayhawks snap their 13-game dropping streak to the Wildcats this yr? It’s a chance, however I wouldn’t name it possible this season. Kansas State is a step above their in-state rival and can proceed their profitable streak heading into 2023.

Kansas State 27, Kansas 17

Kansas will end the season 6-6 and be bowl eligible for the primary time since 2008 after they
beat Minnesota within the Perception Bowl.

I’m predicting Kansas will play within the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. That sport might be performed on Thursday, December twenty second in Fort Price, Texas at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium at 6:30 p.m CST. It is going to be featured on certainly one of ESPN’s stations.

The workforce that might be enjoying the Kansas Jayhawks? I’m predicting it will likely be the Navy Midshipmen.

The powers that be sometimes attempt to get a college that has a navy tie into this bowl sport, and that makes excellent sense contemplating the identify of the Bowl. It could possibly be Military, Air Drive or Navy, however I’m predicting the Midshipmen may have a bounce again yr and change into bowl eligible once more.

I believe Kansas will win the sport in a low scoring affair, 17-13. This could be the Jayhawks first
bowl victory, and first profitable season, since 2008; they finish the season with a ultimate report of
7-6.

If these predictions come to fruition, head coach Lance Leipold may have formally turned issues round in simply two seasons in Lawrence. The Jayhawks’ soccer program might be again on the map as one thing aside from a laughing inventory or a miracle victory faculty.

The Kansas soccer program has an opportunity to get again heading in the right direction in 2022 and exceed even the loftiest expectations. If getting three or 4 wins is seen as a hit, this could be a fully best-case state of affairs and I believe Jayhawk followers could be simply superb with that.

Take a take heed to our Heartland Faculty Sports activities ‘Jayhawker Talker’ podcast under the place I talk about the season in additional element.