The most important game remaining on the Kansas schedule (and most important game all season, depending on who you ask) is this weekend as their in-state rival comes to town. The Jayhawks haven’t beaten Kansas State since November 1 of 2008, meaning the losing streak dates back to before Barack Obama was elected president – the first time. Needless to say, the Jayhawks want this one bad. This could also be the best chance they’ve had since that win back in 2008.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kansas State Wildcats: Matchup History
The history between these two teams goes way back. It doesn’t go back quite as far as Kansas-Missouri, but it’s still one of the older rivalries in the country. The first meeting was way back in 1902, and the early years were absolutely dominated by Kansas. The Jayhawks won the first four games by a combined score of 119-4. They proceeded to win 17 of the first 19 matchups, with just a single loss and one tie. However, the past three decades have been the polar opposite.
Since 1993, the Wildcats have won 28 of the 32 games, with all four Jayhawk wins coming from 2004 to 2008. However, the past two years have been there for the taking for Kansas. In 2023, the Jayhawks, led by freshman quarterback Cole Ballard, held an 11-point lead midway through the third quarter.
After Kansas State cut the lead to three with 6:30 left in the quarter, the Jayhawks gained just 73 yards the rest of the game. 64 of those yards came on what would have been a game winning drive, but an interception in the endzone put an end to the Kansas hopes for a win. A pair of interceptions and a muffed punt, all of which came in the final 17 minutes of the game, proved to be too much for the Jayhawks to overcome.
Last year, Kansas once again held a lead in the second half. Jalon Daniels found the endzone with his legs, giving the Jayhawks a 27-23 lead to end the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the offense had four possessions. They gained just 30 yards and had two turnovers. On 2nd & 13 with four minutes left, Daniels ran for nine yards. Instead of setting up a potential game-ending third down conversion, Daniels fumbled. The Wildcats gained just enough yards to kick what would end up being the game-winning field goal. Less than a minute later, the Jayhawks faced a 4th & 7, still needing about 20 yards to get within some semblance of field goal range. Unfortunately, Daniels was sacked and fumbled. Three kneel downs later, the Wildcats escaped yet again.
Kansas vs. Kansas State 2025 Preview: Keys and Predictions
Key Players for Kansas
It’s the same story that it’s been all season for the Jayhawks. If Jalon Daniels is at his best, Kansas can compete with a lot of really good teams. If he’s not, then it’s going to be tough sledding. He has 836 total yards and six touchdowns in his career against the Wildcats, but has yet to pull out a win. I have no doubt that he will leave everything out on the field Saturday. Let’s just hope he’s able to walk out with a win.
Key Players for Kansas State
The Wildcats are also very reliant on their quarterback. In their three wins, Avery Johnson is averaging 277 total yards, more than 2.5 touchdowns, and not a single turnover. In their four losses, his yardage drops by nearly 40 yards, he drops down to just two touchdowns, and has a pair of interceptions.
Johnson has three games with more than 270 passing yards and four games with less than 200 passing yards, including an 88-yard performance against Arizona. He has games like the one against Baylor, with 416 total yards and three touchdowns. He also has games like the one against Arizona, with 72 total yards and his only touchdown coming from a goal line run.
In essence, this game may very well come down to which team’s quarterback outperforms the other.
Keys for a Jayhawk Win in Week 6
Priority number one for Kansas needs to be taking care of the ball. In the Wildcats’ three wins this year, they have won the turnover battle by a combined margin of seven to two. And in the last two iterations of this game, the Jayhawks have lost the turnover battle, losing those games by a combined six points. In both contests, the last two possessions for Kansas resulted in turnovers.
The Jayhawks should value every single possession they have this week. Not only because this game means so much from a rivalry standpoint, but also because a loss would mean they still need two wins in their last four games to make a bowl game. With three tough games left on the schedule, it would take a lot of pressure away from the team if they only needed one more win to gain bowl eligibility.
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Kyle Jones
Kyle joined The League Winners in May of 2024 and is currently covering the Kansas Jayhawks, while also dabbling in the Kansas City Chiefs. He is a born and raised Chiefs and Jayhawks fan, as well as the Royals. When he's not watching and writing about sports, Kyle enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with his wife and dog.