Kansas Football 2025 Preview: Realistic, Dream, and Floor Expectations
The start of a new season is almost here for Kansas football. In just a few weeks, Jayhawk fans will return to a renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium as KU kicks off its season against Fresno State in a Week Zero matchup on August 23 — one of only five games on the college football slate that weekend.
Before the season gets underway, it’s time to dive into a few offseason storylines — starting with one of the most compelling preseason questions:
What are the Realistic, Dream, and Floor expectations for Kansas heading into 2025?
Realistic Expectation: A “Solid” Season — 8 Wins
For Kansas, a “solid” season would mean finishing with at least eight wins — something that would mark a return to the success seen in the 2023–24 campaign under head coach Lance Leipold.
To reach that benchmark, consistency on both sides of the ball is non-negotiable. This team can no longer rely solely on Jalon Daniels to carry the load.
Fortunately, there’s reason for optimism. The arrival of former Iowa running back Leshon Williams and a more seasoned group of receivers should help take pressure off Daniels and give the offense more balance.
Defensively, the biggest question is the pass defense. Last year, KU gave up 239 passing yards per game, ranking fourth-worst in the Big 12. Improvement here is critical — and it starts with key additions like linebacker Bangally Kamara from South Carolina, who brings both experience and athleticism to the unit.
Floor Expectation: Five Wins — Or Worse
After suffering five one-score losses last season, it’s fair for Kansas fans to have lingering doubts. Close games have been the program’s Achilles heel — and without a clear solution, it’s possible that trend continues.
Have the Jayhawks made the right strides — physically and mentally — to change their fate in late-game situations? It’s impossible to know until the games are played. But even with incremental improvement, the margin for error remains razor-thin in the Big 12. If things break the wrong way, another sub-.500 season is well within the realm of possibility.
Ceiling Expectation: A Big 12 Championship Appearance
Is this the year Kansas makes a run at the Big 12 title game? It’s a bold prediction — and admittedly, not the most likely scenario — but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
Why the skepticism? Depth across the conference. Phil Steele’s preseason rankings placed Kansas 49th nationally, behind a slew of Big 12 rivals including Arizona State (15), Baylor (18), Utah (19), Texas Tech (25), TCU (26), Iowa State (28), Kansas State (30), BYU (40), Cincinnati (42), and Houston (46).
But here’s the thing: most of those teams are clustered closely together in the rankings, which suggests that the Big 12 race could be wide open. With the right breaks and consistent play, KU could find itself in the mix down the stretch.
A trip to the Big 12 Championship would be historic — it would mark Kansas’ first appearance since the conference’s inception in 1996.
No matter where you set your expectations, one thing is clear: Kansas football enters 2025 with momentum, a revamped stadium, and a chance to take another step forward under Leipold.
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