:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61022953/491357632.jpg.0.jpg)
We’ve already looked at the top five wins of the David Beaty era, a list that included his three wins on the football field. So, we’ll not rehash those again today.
Instead, I’ll simply take a few moments to reiterate the fact that this is a make or break year for Beaty. With a new athletic director in town, I think it’s pretty obviously bowl game or bust for Beaty this year, $3M buyout be damned. Four or five wins with no blowout losses might cut it, but the Big 12 is going to be a gauntlet yet again – especially if you’re at the bottom of the barrel. Considering KU couldn’t even hang with MAC teams last year, thinking they’ll be competitive in Big 12 play this year means thinking they’ll be significantly improved on both sides of the ball.
Last year in conference play, Kansas lost 7 of 9 games by 22 or more points.
Beaty has three wins in three seasons. 3-33, to be exact. Even if he triples that number (to 9-39) in 2018, that’s still a really bad track record, but may get him another year. The problem is, Beaty’s lack of job security is clearly being reflected on the recruiting trail, as Kansas has just two commits so far for the class of 2019.
#Neatdeal
I still maintain that the best thing for Kansas football is for Beaty to be successful and to win 5+ games this season. The first step is not looking like a disaster against Nicholls State on Saturday and beating the Colonels convincingly, preferably by three or more touchdowns. The second step is going on the road and knocking off a rebuilding Central Michigan team. Then you take your chances against Rutgers and their bad offense at home.
How likely is a 3-0 start? I don’t know, but it’s probably less likely than an 0-3 start. 3-0 is unlikely enough that I’m sure not going to predict it, and considering the schedule, that more than anything should tell you all you need to know about the state of Kansas football the past three years under David Beaty.