The Kansas Jayhawks started the season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. But after a five-losing streak in September and October, coach Lance Leopold’s team has no more margin of error in its pursuit of a bowl bid.
The Jayhawks (3-6 overall, 2-4 Big 12) pulled off an upset on Saturday, beating then No. 17-ranked Iowa State, 45-36. But they need to win their next three to reach six wins, which would guarantee bowl eligibility.
And the task ahead is the toughest yet. Kansas is a 3-point underdog for Saturday’s game at undefeated BYU, according to BetMGM Kansas Sportsbook.
The Cougars (9-0, 6-0) are No. 6 in this week's College Football Playoff rankings.
With the season nearing its conclusion, BetKansas.com discovered on TeamRankings.com that the Jayhawks rank last among the 134 Football Bowl Division schools in a rather dubious category.
Bottom 10: Unluckiest College Football Teams
Rank | Team | Record | Luck Rating* |
1 | Kansas Jayhawks | 3-6 | -2.4 |
T2 | South Alabama Jaguars | 4-5 | -2.2 |
T2 | Auburn Tigers | 3-6 | -2.2 |
4 | UCF Knights | 4-6 | -2.1 |
T5 | USC Trojans | 4-5 | -1.9 |
T5 | Utah Utes | 4-5 | -1.9 |
7 | Troy Trojans | 2-7 | -1.7 |
T8 | Mississippi State Bulldogs | 2-8 | -1.5 |
T8 | Florida State Seminoles | 1-9 | -1.5 |
T8 | Louisiana Tech Bulldogs | 3-6 | -1.5 |
T8 | Virginia Tech Hokies | 5-5 | -1.5 |
T8 | Florida International Panthers | 3-6 | -1.5 |
T8 | Texas State Bobcats | 5-4 | -1.5 |
*Luck Rating based on TeamRankings.com
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While it seems odd that luck can be quantified, you don’t have to understand it to see why Kansas has been unlucky so far this season.
Five of their six losses have been by six points or less. The other – a 38-27 defeat against TCU on Sept. 28 – came after the Horned Frogs scored the final 10 points over the last 11:20. In addition, Kansas has held a second-half lead in all six games that it lost, including five where KU led in the fourth quarter.
Three losses have also occurred in the final minute. That does not even include KU's 29-27 defeat on Oct. 26 at the hands of archrival Kansas State, when Chris Tennant hit a 51-yard field goal with 1:42 remaining to give the Wildcats the lead for good.
How Remaining KU Foes Rank For Luck
With Kansas out of the title race, No. 17 Colorado is the Big 12 favorite, with +140 odds at DraftKings Kansas Sportsbook to win the conference. BYU, which is a game ahead of the Buffaloes, is at +155.
Speaking of luck, the TeamRanking's index has BYU ranked No. 1 in that category. Colorado, which visits Kansas on Nov. 23, is No. 24. On the other hand, Baylor, where KU travels for its regular-season finale on Nov. 30, is tied for 74th in luck ranking among 134 FBS teams.
BetKansas can’t help you with your luck, but we do offer reviews on all the legal Kansas sports betting apps in the Sunflower State.
USA Today photo by Denny Medley
