LAWRENCE — Every game this season will have its own significance as the Kansas University football team looks to build on its recent success.
The Jayhawks are back-to-back bowl game appearances for the first time in more than a decade. They earned their first bowl victory in over a decade in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl against UNLV. In the new Big 12 Conference, where many teams are competing for the championship, coach Lance Leipold's team is right in the mix.
But looking ahead to the 2024 season, there are five games that stand out. With Big 12 media days approaching on July 9 and 10 in Las Vegas, there are five games that deserve more attention than others. These five games will be the most important as Kansas' campaign unfolds.
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Below are the five games in the order they appear on the KU schedule.
Illinois — September 7 (away)
This will be Kansas' first real test of the year after its season opener at home against Lindenwood on Aug. 29. The Jayhawks beat Illinois 34-23 at home last year, but now Leipold and company head to Champaign, Ill. With redshirt junior quarterback Jaron Daniels returning from injury and assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes new to the program, gaining confidence early on will be crucial.
West Virginia — September 21 (away)
When Kansas opens Big 12 play on the road against West Virginia in 2022, everyone will remember when now-senior cornerback Kobe Bryant returned an interception for a touchdown to win over the Mountaineers in overtime, 55-42. Regardless of how much that will affect this season's matchup, starting off conference play in 2024 with a win would go a long way. If the Jayhawks have the advantage, a win in this game could propel them to a third straight 4-0 start.
TCU — Sept. 28 (home)
With renovations underway in Lawrence, Kansas' Big 12 home games will now be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. This game is not only a chance for another Big 12 win, but also a chance for the Jayhawks to show just how much home field advantage they can enjoy despite not being at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. If they prove that this is a formidable environment to play in, there's a good chance it will remain that way for the rest of the season.
Kansas State — October 26 (away)
Kansas hasn't beaten Kansas State since 2008, and the Jayhawks haven't beaten the Wildcats on the road since 2007. Both teams are favorites to win in 2024, so the winner of this game will have a key win toward a possible Big 12 championship. But if Leipold can lead his team to a win, it could greatly improve Kansas' standing in this rivalry.
Colorado — Nov. 23 (home)
Not only is this Kansas' final home game of the regular season, but it also marks the Jayhawks' first opportunity to face a Colorado team led by coach Deion Sanders. Regardless of what success the Jayhawks have during the 2024 season, there will be plenty of interest in this matchup for that reason. This is a chance for Kansas to not only highlight where they see themselves in the new Big 12 landscape, but also show a national audience the direction the team is headed.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas sports for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He was named the National Sports Media Association's 2022 Kansas Sports Writer of the Year. He can be reached at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter @JordanGuskey.
