From Kansas Jayhawks On SI · · 2m
Kansas Football: Midseason Grades for Struggling Jayhawks
Kansas football at 2-4 with three straight losses, facing bowl eligibility with four wins needed.
In brief
Kansas football at 2-4 with three straight losses, facing bowl eligibility with four wins needed. Kansas Jayhawks are 2-4 with four losses to top teams, needing four wins in six games to reach bowl eligibility. Originally reported by Kansas Jayhawks On SI.
Kansas Football Midseason
Kansas football program reached midway point of 2026 season after tumultuous first half.
Record: 2-4
Jayhawks at 2-4 with wins against Long Island University 51-6 and Middle Tennessee State 55-0.
Losses
Four losses to No. 22 Missouri 38-21, Arizona State 24-17, Utah 41-24, Kansas State 35-24.
Head Coach Lance Leipold
Leipold faces third straight losing season barring miraculous turnaround against Baylor.
Offense: B-
Kansas offense ranks No. 54 in passing with 242.5 yards per game, 1,294 yards and nine touchdowns.
Rushing Game
Dylan Marshall rushed 375 yards with 207 yards per game, 207 yards per game ranking No. 23.
Third-Down Struggles
Kansas ranks No. 82 in third-down conversion percentage at 38.8% with stalled drives.
Defense: C-
Kansas defense ranks No. 74 in scoring defense with 24 points per game.
Run Defense
Kansas run defense ranks No. 106 with 174.3 yards rushing per game.
Pass Defense
Kansas pass defense ranks No. 27 with 174.3 yards per game and 32.9% third-down conversion.
Sacks
Kansas defense has six sacks, ranking No. 98 in college football.
Special Teams: D
Kansas place kicker Martin Connington made six of eight field goals, 75% success rate.
Punting Issues
Kansas punter Matt Gill averages 39.8 yards per punt, ranking No. 114 in net punting.
Coaching: F
Leipold and coaching staff have struggled with recruiting, preparation, adjustments, and clock management.
K-State Loss
K-State loss makes Leipold 0-6 versus Wildcats, killed momentum heading into halftime.
Fourth Quarter Struggles
Kansas has struggled to close out games despite being within reach against Arizona State, Utah, and K-State.
Bowl Eligibility
Kansas needs four wins in six remaining games to reach bowl eligibility.
Here's the gist
Kansas Jayhawks are 2-4 with four losses to top teams, needing four wins in six games to reach bowl eligibility.
