Game-by-game picks for Kansas football’s 2025 season, plus five bold predictions

Kansas football’s season opener is right around one week away.

The Jayhawks have plenty to be excited about as KU gets ready to face Fresno State on August 23 in the renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Still, there are plenty of questions surrounding the new-look KU squad. The Jayhawks had over two dozen seniors graduate after a disappointing last season in which the team finished 5-7.

Kansas lost multiple games in devastating fashion last season, which was a surprise to many — including myself. Now, the Jayhawks will try to redeem themselves.

Kansas reloaded its team in the transfer portal with the addition of 28 players, and there are notable returning faces, too. Quarterback Jalon Daniels returns for a final season of college ball. He looks to end his collegiate career on a high note as he chases his NFL dreams.

Throughout preseason camp, coach Lance Leipold and various players have said the transfers have acclimated well. The question is: Will KU have a winning season and earn bowl eligibility? Only time will tell.

Here are five bold predictions for KU’s 2025 campaign and game-by-game picks for the regular season:

1. Kansas QB Jalon Daniels makes an All-Big 12 team

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels decided to return to Kansas for his final season of college football back in December.

His return wasn’t guaranteed, but it’s an important one for the Jayhawks. He had an up-and-down 2024, but he played well in the latter half of the season. He finished with 2,174 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 410 yards and six TDs.

Now, Daniels will try to finish his college career strong. After all three of his starting wide receivers (Luke Grimm, Quentin Skinner and Lawrence Arnold) graduated, KU reloaded the group with a slew of transfers.

The Jayhawks brought in much-hyped Alabama wideout Emmanuel Henderson, Ball State’s Cam Pickett and Columbia’s Bryson Canty, to name a few. Daniels spent some time in his home state of California this offseason working with several of his expected top targets.

Leipold has raved about Daniels’ play in fall camp.

“I think Jalon has played well,” Leipold said. ‘I’ve been really pleased with his camp and what he’s doing. I just need him to stay locked in this manner and keep leading our football team.”

If Daniels can put together a full season like he did in the latter part of last year, he should have a special senior campaign. It could earn him some conference honors, too.

2. Daniel Hishaw will rush for over 1,000 yards

With the departure of Devin Neal to the NFL, there’s plenty of opportunity for longtime KU running back Daniel Hishaw to make his mark.

Hishaw will split carries with Iowa transfer Leshon Williams, but Hishaw will likely be first on the depth chart. He’s never surpassed 700 rushing yards in a season, but if he can stay healthy, there’s a good chance he will in his final campaign.

“He is a player who’s waited patiently,” Leipold said. “Honestly, much like Jalon, he has had a kind of bumpy road with injuries. Two years ago, before he was injured in the Iowa State game, he probably was playing as good of football as anyone we had offensively.

“He’s got a great combination of speed and power. He’s a physical back. He has good hands. He’s good in pass protection.”

Replacing the production of KU legend Neal won’t be easy, but Hishaw should play a big part in lessening the blow.

3. KU’s cornerbacks will have some growing pains

The Jayhawks lost two star cornerbacks (Mello Dotso and Cobee Bryant) to the NFL, so now the secondary is relatively young. Kansas brought in veterans, DJ Graham II and Syeed Gibbs from the transfer portal, but overall, the room has some holes.

Graham has spent much of fall camp nursing an injury, so whether he’s fully healthy by the first game is a question.

After that, KU will likely rely on the trio of Jalen Todd, Jahlil Hurley and Austin Alexander to play significant snaps. The trio is talented but lacks playing experience. A positive is that Leipold has raved about Alexander all fall camp, while Todd has also garnered positive buzz.

The opportunity is there for the youngsters to shine, but it’s hard to replace the production that Dotson and Bryant gave the Jayhawks.

4. Emmanuel Henderson Jr. will be Jalon Daniels’ best KU receiver

The hype around Alabama transfer Emmanuel Henderson has been non-stop since he committed to the program in January.

Henderson is one of the fastest players on the team. His teammates have called him an “NFL-level talent.”

“He’s as talented as anyone I’ve ever seen,” freshman QB David McComb said. “I’m new here, and I’ve not seen much, but I can’t imagine anyone else that’s better than him. He’s the fastest guy on our team. He’s got great hands, great routes.”

Henderson has a real chance to be the best wide receiver Daniels has ever had (with no disrespect to Grimm). Daniels has even had to adjust to Henderson’s speed.

“(Daniels) was throwing with Emmanuel Henderson,” Leipold said. “(KU trainer Trent Carter) said, ‘I don’t know how far he threw it, like 70 to 75 yards in the air.’ He goes, ‘Of all the years I’ve worked with Jalon ... I don’t know if I’ve seen Jalon throw the ball that far.’”

Leipold followed up with his star QB.

“I was asking Jalon, who’s laughing, and he goes, ‘Yeah, ‘I didn’t realize really how fast Emmanuel Henderson is, so I’ve got to let go of it a little bit sooner — I had to catch up.’”

If Henderson lives up to the hype, he could have a special season.

5. Kansas earns bowl eligibility

Look, this isn’t exactly the most scorching take in the world, but the Jayhawks have real questions after more than 15 starters departed last season. Kansas has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but there are real questions at positions like the secondary and offensive line.

On paper, KU has a relatively easy schedule. That said, the same was thought about last season, and it turned out to be one of the toughest in college football.

I believe this team will go as far as Daniels takes it. If he can stay healthy, he could be in for a special season. Despite all the questions surrounding this team, I see KU in the 6-to-9 win range.

As for the quality of the bowl game, that’ll come down to where KU falls in that range. If Kansas earns bowl eligibility, it will be the third bowl game in the last four seasons for Leipold.

Game-by-game predictions

Game 1 vs. Fresno State

KU’s schedule starts with a slightly more challenging opponent than usual in Fresno State. Still, the Jayhawks are 12.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel.

KU’s defense will face off against QB EJ Warner, who was recently named the starter. Warner is a veteran quarterback who has played 31 games at Rice and Temple over the past three seasons. So he’s no slouch.

Still, the talent differential is too significant. Plus, KU has plenty to play for in the opener at its renovated stadium. I don’t see KU losing.

Prediction: Kansas (1-0)

Game 2 vs. Wagner

On paper, this should be the easiest opponent of the season. Wagner comes off a tough last season, where the Seahawks went 4-8. It won’t get any easier against the Jayhawks.

If all goes well, KU backup Cole Ballard should see plenty of snaps in the second half.

Prediction: Kansas (2-0)

Game 3 at Missouri

One of the best rivalries in college football is back when the Jayhawks face Missouri for the first time since 2011. There’s no love lost between the sides.

“Rivalry games are what make college football so special. And I didn’t really realize when I first got to Lawrence that the Kansas-Missouri game is more of a rivalry than Kansas-Kansas State,” Leipold told ESPNU.

Missouri lost a significant amount of talent to the NFL and graduation following last season. On top of that, Missouri still hasn’t announced its QB1 between Sam Horn and prized transfer Beau Pribula. Additionally, KU has its first off week before the matchup.

The game should be competitive, but it’s a tall order for a KU team filled with questions to defeat Missouri this early in the season.

Prediction: Missouri (KU, 2-1)

Game 4: KU vs. West Virginia

This matchup should be a fun one. This West Virginia squad has a brand new coach in Rich Rodriguez. His Jacksonville State squad was No. 1 in Conference USA in total offense, scoring and rushing.

WVU running back Jaheim White will test the Jayhawks. He ran for 845 yards with seven touchdowns last season.

On the flip side, WVU’s defense finished dead last in the Big 12 as it allowed 412 yards per game. The Mountaineers brought in a slew of talent from the transfer portal, but it’s unrealistic to expect them to become a top defense by Game 4.

The Jayhawks’ offense should play a pivotal role in ensuring KU comes out on top.

Prediction: Kansas (3-1)

Game 5: KU vs. Cincinnati

Cincinnati looks to get back on track after a rough first two seasons in the Big 12. The Bearcats went 5-7 last season and there are plenty of murmurs about this being a make-or-break year for coach Scott Satterfield.

The good news for Cincinnati is former Wisconsin and Oklahoma running back senior Tawee Walker should help the offense. He will take the load off QB Brendan Sorsby, who had 2,813 passing yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2024.

How about receiver talent?

The Bearcats added plenty of pass catchers from the transfer portal, but the name to watch is returning tight end Joe Royer. He made first team All-Big 12 last season after marking 50 catches for 521 yards. He broke the Cincy tight end catch record set by Chiefs great Travis Kelce.

A balanced Bearcats squad will test the Jayhawks’ defense, but I like KU in this one.

Prediction: KU (4-1)

Game 6: KU at UCF

After a couple of home matchups, the Jayhawks travel to Orlando to face UCF. The Knights have a new head coach in Scott Frost after finishing 4-8 last season. He returns after leaving UCF in 2017.

Frost has spent much of the offseason rehauling the roster. It’s unclear who the starting QB for UCF is as three players are battling for the job. The competition includes Tayven Jackson, a former four-star recruit who played at Indiana and Tennessee.

The Knights should be better this season, but too many questions remain. Kansas should continue its hot streak and win on the road against UCF.

Prediction: KU (5-1)

Game 7: KU at Texas Tech

This is where KU’s schedule starts to get difficult.

Texas Tech is one of the top contenders to win the Big 12. On top of that, the Red Raiders are ranked No. 23 in the preseason AP poll.

This matchup will be a difficult one for KU as Texas Tech has reloaded on both sides of the ball. Plus, KU has to play this game in Lubbock. I think the Jayhawks keep it respectable, but I don’t see them winning.

Prediction: Texas Tech (KU, 5-2)

Game 8: KU vs. K-State

After playing a formidable opponent in Texas Tech, the Jayhawks get a bye week before facing their in-state rival, K-State. Kansas has lost to Kansas State in the last 16 matchups, but the past two games have been particularly close — decided by a combined six points.

This game should be another close one. Additionally, the Jayhawks will play K-State at home, which gives them a significant advantage.

That said, I think KU’s defense will struggle to stop K-State QB Avery Johnson from scrambling and Dylan Edwards will be a handful to contain. I think it’ll be close, but another heartbreaking loss for KU.

Prediction: Kansas State (KU, 5-3)

Game 9: KU vs. Oklahoma State

Recent meetings between these two have been fun. OSU comes off one of its worst seasons in program history with coach Mike Gundy on the so-called hot seat. Naturally, he reloaded the roster with plenty of transfers.

The defense, in particular, brings plenty of new faces for new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. He has had some great defenses in the past for Georgia, Florida and others.

Still, OSU’s defense will be tested by Daniels and company. The Jayhawks should end their losing streak with a win in Lawrence.

Prediction: Kansas (6-3)

Game 10: KU at Arizona

Arizona struggled on defense last season, leading to a new defensive coordinator in Danny Gonzales and a slew of transfers.

Still, I expect this game to be a shootout. KU’s defense will have to slow down Arizona QB Noah Fifita. He passed for 2,958 yards with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024.

This game should be competitive and fun to watch, but it could go either way. I give a slight edge to Arizona as the home team.

Prediction: Arizona (KU, 6-4)

Game 11: KU at Iowa State

Iowa State comes into the season ranked No. 22. Surprisingly, the Jayhawks have had the Cyclones’ number in recent years, with Kansas currently on a three-game winning streak.

After the departures of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to the NFL, the Iowa State WR group should take a step back. That works out well for Kansas, with plenty of questions surrounding the secondary. Still, QB Rocco Becht is no joke. He’s thrown for over 6,600 yards with 48 touchdown passes and 11 rushing scores over the last two seasons.

This game should be competitive, but it’s hard to see ISU losing to Kansas for a fourth straight time — especially at home.

Prediction: Iowa State (KU, 6-5)

Game 12: Kansas vs. Utah

The Cam Rising era is officially over in Utah. In his place is likely starter Devon Dampier. He spent two seasons with New Mexico and earned all-Mountain West first-team honors in 2024.

Dampier led the league with 3,934 total yards, including 2,768 passing yards. KU must find a way to stop him.

Utah has some returners on offense, including the Utes’ tight end and entire starting offensive line. But the defense — a strength last year — returns only four starters.

Overall, I feel confident that it will be a competitive matchup, with the Jayhawks coming out on top at home.

Prediction: Kansas (7-5)

Final record: 7-5

This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM.

Shreyas Laddha

The Kansas City Star

Shreyas Laddha covers KU hoops and football for The Star. He’s a Georgia native and graduated from the University of Georgia.