Michigan State football: Power ranking coaching candidates after Week 8

Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 8

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 21: Head Coach Mike Elko of the Duke Blue Devils reacts on the sidelines during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 21, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Kansas’ head football coach Lance Leipold looks up during the Big 12 football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at Jones AT&T Stadium. /

Kansas had a bye in Week 8 after losing to Oklahoma State the weekend before. The Jayhawks were 5-1 on the year with a lone loss coming at No. 3 Texas, but they couldn’t seem to figure out the Cowboys of Oklahoma State, losing 39-32 before the bye.

Lance Leipold probably needed that extra week to prepare for a visiting Oklahoma team this coming weekend. The Sooners are ranked No. 6 nationally.

If Leipold is able to get his team to shake off the two losses in the past three games to beat Oklahoma, I think I may just be all in. He’s already gone from honorable mention into the top three in these power rankings in recent weeks, but beating a legitimate national title contender after stumbling twice in the previous three games would show major resilience and coaching chops.

Let’s say Kansas does take down Oklahoma, the Jayhawks will improve to 6-2 and have a very manageable remaining schedule against Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Cincinnati.

Winning out is very possible. And anyone who can bring Kansas to 10 wins deserves any job they want.

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