KU Football: What is in Store for Jayhawks in 2017
By trevb
Following a 2-10 season, the ceiling is extremely high and the floor could not be lower for KU football. So, what should fans expect from David Beaty and crew next season?
Even though all the buzz on the Kansas Jayhawks recent recruiting has involved the 2018 class, there is still plenty of optimism for next season. With much of the team returning, a crop of new recruits, and some quarterback fine tuning, there is hope for the KU football team.
Should fans expect bowl eligibility next season? Maybe.
Right now it seems as if the Jayhawks are inching closer and closer towards that option, especially with four and three-star recruits incoming for 2018.
So, if a bowl game is in reach next season, then how will that end goal be achieved for KU Football?
Kansas fans should definitely expect to see major improvements in the Jayhawks’ Big 12 record. Before the win against Texas, KU had an appalling conference record. The Jayhawks have only managed to win four Big 12 games since the 2010 season and have multiple winless years in the conference.
According to David Kenyon from Bleacher Report, he believes the Jayhawks will end the season with a 3-9 record and another winless Big 12 Conference season. His explanation for this prediction is that the offense will continue to falter.
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"“Kansas’ struggles on offense will continue to plague the team in clutch moments, and it’ll be another irritating year before brighter days arrive.”-David Kenyon, Bleacher Report"
I strongly disagree with this. By the end of the 2016 season, KU football showed major improvements in the offense and seemed to have signs of life and showed an aggressive air raid attack.
Big Changes Coming
After the season ended, Kansas acquired offensive coordinator Doug Meacham from TCU. The Jayhawks also signed JUCO quarterback standout Peyton Bender. This should increase quarterback competition as Bender will compete against freshman Carter Stanley.
The puzzle pieces of Kansas’ offense are there for a quarterback to lead and an offensive coordinator to call the shots. The experienced veterans Steven Sims Jr. and LaQuviontae Gonzalez should help the offense improve.
The defense will continue to improve as well. Mike Lee, a kid that should be in high school, already adds strength to the defense. Dorance Armstrong Jr. will continue to hold down the line to prove those Texas scouts wrong.
So, what will Kansas’ record be next season? Let’s say Kansas wins all of their nonconference games against Southeastern Missouri State, Central Michigan, and Ohio, which they should. That already covers the three wins predicted by David Kenyon.
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This really comes down to how Kansas does in the Big 12.
I am predicting a 5-7 (2-7) record seeing the Jayhawks go one game short of bowl eligibility. I hope I am wrong about the Jayhawks falling one game short of eligibility because I have witnessed the changes in this program.
The pieces are there, as a new offensive coordinator should give this team new life. Think about how much of an impact Meacham will make. Kansas last season forced a couple of relatively contested games.
That was when David Beaty was involved in head coaching duties and coordinating his offense. Imagine what a hands-free David Beaty and an offensive leader in Doug Meacham should do for this program. Massive changes are coming.
It only takes six games to be bowl eligible for the Jayhawks. If all the right parts and pieces fall together for them next season, it just might happen.
The Rock Chalk faithful have been waiting for a turnaround like the one David Beaty is giving. Next season starts new beginnings.