Kansas enters its sixth season under head coach Lance Leipold with a 2-3 record and 0-2 mark in the Big 12 after dropping a 41-24 decision at No. 12 Utah, where the Jayhawks were outgained badly on the ground despite quarterback Isaiah Marshall throwing for 333 yards. Marshall has taken over the starting role following injuries to backup Cole Ballard, while the running back room has been thinned by multiple season-ending ailments and recent transfers. The remaining schedule features eight conference games against ranked or bowl-eligible opponents, including road trips to Kansas State, TCU, and Oklahoma State plus home dates with Baylor, UCF, and BYU. These factors shape the competitive outlook for the Jayhawks’ regular-season win total.