​FRISCO, Texas — Kansas football fans have been buzzing about the 2026 showdown with Arizona State, which is set to unfold amid the Big 12 Conference media days on Wednesday in Frisco. There are several reasons this matchup has captured attention. First, the September 19 game will mark KU’s Big 12 opener, a significant early test as the Jayhawks attempt to rebound from two underwhelming seasons. The prospect of starting conference play in strong fashion adds extra weight to the event, and the fact that this non-conference tilt will be played overseas in London, broadcast on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, only amplifies the excitement.
But the week that precedes that trip to London matters just as much to Kansas supporters. On September 11, the Jayhawks will host Missouri in a high-stakes in-state showdown. Last season, KU travelled to Columbia and led in the fourth quarter before Missouri rallied to win. The back-to-back weeks of intense competition will present Kansas with an unusually challenging early schedule, testing their resilience and focus.
Head coach Lance Leipold touched on the sense of anticipation while underscoring a practical truth: hype about one game cannot derail a program’s overall plan. “It’s exciting, but when you play a competitive schedule, each game is important,” Leipold said. “We know every game will be challenging. We have to be ready to play. It’s going to be exciting to play a Friday night game on FOX in primetime on network television against a rival school. We went into Columbia last year, had some opportunities; they made more plays than we did. But we’ve got a chance to face them again in back-to-back years, in front of a home crowd. It’s going to be, definitely, exciting.”
Yet Leipold also emphasized the necessity of maintaining a steady mindset. Even with the allure of high-profile foes like Missouri in Lawrence, he reminded his team that the next challenge would come quickly afterward. No matter the result against the Jayhawks’ Missouri rematch, Kansas must board a plane and head to face Arizona State on a short turnaround. The point isn’t to dampen enthusiasm for the big games but to keep players grounded and prepared for a sustained run of competition.
Kansas’ season opens at home on September 4 against LIU, serving as a chance to build momentum before the two marquee September fixtures. After posting consecutive 5-7 campaigns in 2024 and 2025, following bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023, there is renewed expectation surrounding the program in Lawrence. The early portion of 2026 will reveal a lot about whether KU can translate the rising optimism into consistent on-field success.
As the Jayhawks prepare for the London trip and a storied fall slate, the energy around the program is palpable. Fans hope the back-to-back tests against in-state rival Missouri and a global showcase against Arizona State will set the tone for a season that could redefine Kansas football in the Big 12 era. The road ahead is challenging, but the sense of purpose is clear: win the day, stay focused, and trust that the larger goals will follow.