2015
Kansas Jayhawks
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
For a team that hasn’t surpassed three wins since 2009, this offseason hasn’t been any better for Kansas, outside of the hiring of new coach David Beaty away from the Texas A&M wide receiver group. The Jayhawks lost starting quarterback Michael Cummings to a “freak” knee injury as described by the coaches in the spring. His timetable was unknown as of May, but with the way Cummings played last year, it’s not a huge blow per say. In addition to that, last year’s leading running back Corey Avery and receiver Rodriguez Coleman were suspended indefinitely.
5 dimes sportsbook lists the TOTAL WINS over/inder prop at 1.5 Games for the Jayhawks. You can also find the odds for Kansas to win the National Title and the Big 12 at 5 dimes. Check often as the odds change.
So what does that leave for the Jayhawks on offense? At quarterback, it’s Montell Cozart’s job to lose. He didn’t show a whole lot last season, starting the first five Games of the year. He completed 50% of his passes for just five total touchdowns and seven interceptions. And most of his positive stats came against the two weakest teams on KU’s Schedule. That said, someone else could easily be the starter by fall.
JUCO transfer Ke’uan Kinner looks to step in as the team’s starting running back and showed the capabilities to be successful in this offense in the spring. Taylor Cox and De’Andre Mann will get some touches as well. Kansas doesn’t really return anyone with much experience from last year’s receiving core, which could be a good thing. Tre Parmalee looks ready to go after injuries have hampered him the last two seasons. Because of the WR questions, tight ends Kent Taylor and Ben Johnson could see decent roles in this offense, as well as the speedy Ryan SChadler, who is a transfer from Wichita State. However, the offensive line still needs to improve before the fall if this offense wants to be better than last year’s 17.8 points per Game.
The defense wasn’t much better for the Jayhawks, allowing 33.3 per Game. One area that Kansas is actually decent is on the defensive line where they have depth and experience. Ben Goodman is one of the better ends in the conference, while the tackle spot is filtered with seniors in Andrew Bolton and Kapil Fletcher. Ben Heeney (fifth round NFL draft pick) is gone at linebacker, but they will have some guys that can fill those shoes in SChyler Miles, Kyron Watson and COurtney Arnick. secondary will be the bigger question and that’s not a good thing in the Big 12. They lose Four starters (two of whom were drafted), so the group is inexperienced and lacks any kind of depth. Even with a solid line, the secondary could be a major issue all season for this defense.
Memphis and Rutgers will be tough non-Conference Games for this team and it doesn’t help that the Jayhawks have to travel to Iowa State (last year’s lone Conference win) in their opening Big 12 Game. For Kansas to surpass three wins, it may require them to win three of their first Four Games. Other than that, possible wins will need to come at home because this isn’t a team that can pull off incredible upsets on the road. Texas Tech is beatable, although the KU secondary could get torched in that one. The Jayhawks close the season with home Games against WVU and KSU, and it’d be a surprise if they won one of those.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Beaty will get past Four wins this season with Kansas and that’s even a stretch. Another three-win season could be in the cards.
2015 Kansas Football Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. South Dakota State
Sept. 12 vs. Memphis
Sept. 26 at Rutgers
Oct. 3 at Iowa State
Oct. 10 vs. Baylor
Oct. 17 vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 24 at Oklahoma State
Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma
Nov. 7 at Texas
Nov. 14 at TCU
Nov. 21 vs. West Virginia
Nov. 28 vs. Kansas State