The Kansas Jayhawks football program has a lot to gain with a win over Baylor

Since Lance Leipold became head coach at Kansas three years ago, the Jayhawks have had one success after another.

In his first season at the helm, KU defeated Texas in Austin for the first time in program history. This win also ended a terrible 56-game Big 12 losing streak that had lasted Kansas since 2008.

In 2022, Leipold led the Jayhawks to a win against West Virginia in Morgantown for the first time in school history. The Jayhawks started the season 5-0, hosted ESPN College GameDay for the first time in program history and reached the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2009. Later that season they defeated a top 25 team in Oklahoma State for their first win over a ranked opponent since 2010 and became bowl eligible for the first time in 13 years.

In 2023, KU defeated Oklahoma – its first home win against a top-25 team since 1984, its first win against the Sooners since 1997 and its first win over a top-10 opponent since KU’s victory over Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl.

There are more accomplishments to share, but the point is that KU has broken numerous losing streaks under Leipold — and they have a chance to break another one this weekend.

KU hasn’t beaten Baylor in football since 2007. The Jayhawks have lost 13 straight during that span and have never beaten the Bears in Waco.

Aside from the current 16-game loss to K-State (which KU will hopefully finish in Lawrence next season), this is arguably the biggest remaining bruise on this program.

Baylor has had a lot of good teams over the years and they have a good team this year too. However, this is not a program that should have a 17-year winning streak against KU like them.

With a win over Baylor on Saturday, KU can finally end one of its last ugly, long-running losing streaks. Oh, and the win would also qualify the Jayhawks for a third straight bowl game for the first time in school history.

Over the past few weeks, this Kansas team has overcome every challenge that has been thrown its way. If they can overcome Saturday’s challenge, it would be the culmination of a strange – yet remarkable – 2024 season.