After over a decade of immense struggles, the Kansas Jayhawks are proving to be a force in the Big 12 in 2022. The Jayhawks have begun this season 5-0, landing them at No. 19 in the AP Top-25, both of which have not happened since 2009. The Big 12 has long been known for having great teams and Kansas is attempting to get back in that conversation.
Let’s take a look at what they have been able to accomplish so far this season.
Turning it Around
As already mentioned they are 5-0, which for some teams is not highly remarkable, but for Kansas it is. They had won a total of five games in their previous 37 coming into this season. What is really unique is that going back 38 games prior to this season was their sixth most recent win which happened to be against the TCU Horned Frogs. If they begin this season 6-0 it will be because they beat TCU.
A few of their wins have been relatively close, but they have been able to rack up a point differential of +88 (They began the 2009 season with +113). This is quite something considering their average point differential through the first five games of the past 11 seasons was -68. Even wilder, the last two seasons began with a combined point differential of -283.
With such a big run differential they are certainly scoring a bunch of points. They have stacked up 208 points which is tied with the Washington Huskies for seventh most in the FBS. Even more impressive they have the most of any Big 12 team, the next closest is TCU with 194 (T-15th).
Impact Player
The biggest reason for the Jayhawk’s success is QB Jalon Daniels. He is in his third season with Kansas, but this year he finally gets to be their starting QB. Daniels has completely improved from his first two seasons. So far this season he has fewer completions but has more yards and TDs with fewer interceptions and sacks.
In 2020 and 2021 he had a combined 157 completions for eight TDs along with seven interceptions. In only 73 completions this season he has 11 TDs and only one interception. He has also grown his game with a strong rushing attack. After 107 rushing attempts for 107 yards and six TDs over the last two seasons, he has ramped that up to 46 carries for 329 yards and five TDs.
The last Jayhawks QB to begin a season with 11 TDs and only one interception was Todd Reesing who put up those exact stats through only four games in 2008.
Up next Kansas will be at home to take on No. 17 TCU which will be big for multiple reasons. First, they have made it onto the AP Top-25 for the first time in 13 years and they need to prove they deserve to be there. Next, their last win against a Top-25 team came against the No. 13 Missouri Tigers on November 29, 2008, they have lost their last 50 since. Additionally, they have not won back-to-back conference games since October 4 & 11, 2008. Finally, they have not started a season 6-0 since 2007.
Kansas is coming off an ugly 14-11 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones and TCU just put the hurt on the Oklahoma Sooners with a 55-24 victory. Both teams have the capabilities to win this game behind reliable QBs and excellent defenses. It is one of the most unexpected must-see Top-20 Big 12 matchups in recent history.
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