These 5 games are key as Kansas football strives for Big 12 success and more in 2024

LAWRENCE — Every game will hold significance in its own right this season, as Kansas football looks to build on its recent success.

The Jayhawks are coming off of back-to-back appearances in bowl games for the first time in more than a decade. They’re coming off of their first bowl win, the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl against UNLV, for the first time in more than a decade. In a new-look Big 12 Conference, with numerous teams in contention for a championship, head coach Lance Leipold’s squad finds itself squarely in that mix.

But looking ahead to the 2024 season, there are five games that stand out. With Big 12 media days nearing July 9-10 in Las Vegas, there are five worth highlighting above the rest. It’s these five games, that are primed to be the most significant as Kansas’ campaign unfolds.

Here are those five games, in order as they appear on the KU schedule:

Illinois — Sept. 7 (away)

After the season opener Aug. 29 at home against Lindenwood, this will be Kansas’ first true test of the year. Although the Jayhawks topped Illinois in a 34-23 win last year at home, now Leipold and company are going to be making their way to Champaign, Illinois. Considering redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels is making his way back from injury, and assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is new to the program, gaining confidence early is critical.

West Virginia — Sept. 21 (away)

Everyone should certainly remember what happened the last time Kansas opened Big 12 play on the road against West Virginia, back in 2022, when now-senior cornerback Cobee Bryant returned an interception for a touchdown in overtime to clinch a 55-42 overtime win against the Mountaineers. Regardless of how much that factors into this season’s matchup, starting the 2024 conference slate with a victory could go a long way. If things can break the Jayhawks’ way, winning this game could mean a 4-0 start for the third-straight year.

TCU — Sept. 28 (home)

Due to the renovations underway in Lawrence, Kansas’ Big 12 home games are going to be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. This game represents not just an opportunity for another Big 12 win, but a chance to showcase just how much of a home-field advantage the Jayhawks can still enjoy despite not being inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Prove this can be a formidable environment to play in, and odds are that will be sustainable throughout the rest of the season.

Kansas State — Oct. 26 (away)

Kansas has not beaten Kansas State since 2008, and the Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Wildcats on the road since 2007. Both teams are going to be contenders in 2024, so the winner of this game will earn a key victory in its path toward a potential Big 12 championship. However, should Leipold be able to lead his team to a win, that should be able to do a lot for the program’s standing in the state of Kansas in this rivalry.

Colorado — Nov. 23 (home)

It’s not just that this is Kansas’ home finale during the regular season, it’s that this is the first opportunity for the Jayhawks to go up against a Colorado program led by head coach Deion Sanders. Regardless of the success the Jayhawks enjoy during the 2024 season, there will be a lot of attention on this matchup because of that reason. It’s a chance not just to reinforce where KU sees itself in the Big 12’s new landscape, but showcase to a national audience the direction the program is heading.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.