Kansas enters the 2026 season with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki back on staff after a stint elsewhere, a development that addresses prior scoring inconsistencies and has helped set trader expectations around a mid-tier Big 12 finish. The Jayhawks posted underwhelming results in 2025, missing bowl eligibility amid defensive and late-game issues, while relying on a rebuilt roster featuring new quarterback competition and transfers. A demanding schedule that includes road tests against Missouri and Arizona plus multiple Big 12 away games limits upside, though home contests and improved personnel depth provide pathways to incremental gains. Recent running back depth concerns, including surgery for Yasin Willis, add further variables to an outlook centered on whether the staff can stabilize the offense quickly.