Rock Chalk Talk
Rock It. Chalk It. Talk It.
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UCF at Kansas: Open Game Thread
It’s gameday! Kansas is a slight home favorite to get win number four today. Kickoff is at 2:45pm Jayhawk Time, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Rock Chalk!
Weekend Open Thread: 11/7/26
There are a ton of really good college football games Saturday, with the potential for chaos again in the top 25. Chill, talk football, and whatever else comes to mind!
MTSU at Kansas: Open Game Thread
I totally knew this game was today. I’m not throwing this together at the last second at all. This game is at 8pm Jayhawk Time on ESPNU. Kansas is a 27.5 point favorite. Rock Chalk!
UCF Preview
Kansas’s Jayhawks need a win Saturday to stay bowl‑eligible, and they head to Orlando to face a struggling UCF Knights team. Both clubs sit at 3‑5 and 4‑4 respectively, with Kansas a three‑point favorite after recent offensive flashes but costly turnovers, highlighted by a 22‑16 loss to TCU despite outgaining them 451‑286. UCF, coming off a 41‑9 defeat at home to Baylor, must replace injured starter Keyone Jenkins with Alonza Barnett III. Kansas’s quarterback picture is also hazy: Isaiah Marshall is likely to return after missing the TCU game, while Cole Ballard remains questionable. The game could decide each program’s postseason fate, making it a must‑watch showdown.
The Daily Mauling: 11/6/26
The Daily Mauling covers a packed day of Kansas sports. It highlights an October 16 exhibition where Pittsburg State’s Mason English #30 blocked Kansas Jayhawks’ Dennis Parker Jr. and Davion Adkins at Allen Fieldhouse, notes bench player Trey Kaufman‑Renn’s limited role, and reports Bill Self’s worry over the Jayhawks’ free‑throw woes. Kansas soccer upset 7th‑ranked Texas Tech in a thriller, while the outlet links to stories about a Heisman candidate needing season‑ending surgery, the Chargers’ coaching shake‑up, and Kyler Murray’s uncertain starting status. The post ends with a “Question of the Day” about media coverage of pro franchises.
Will Isaiah Marshall Return vs. UCF?
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold remains uncertain about starting quarterback Isaiah Marshall for Saturday’s 2:45 pm CT clash with UCF. Marshall missed the previous game with a lower‑leg injury, and while his movement improved, the coach says it’s “too early to tell.” Cole Ballard started against TCU, and Marshall is currently an emergency option. Leipold will monitor both quarterbacks through the week before deciding if Marshall can return to lead the Jayhawks.
The Daily Mauling: 11/5/26
The Daily Mauling recaps the latest Kansas sports action: Fordham upsets the Jayhawks with a win highlighted by Leroy Blyden Jr. and Tre White’s post‑game reactions, while the women's basketball squad clinches a season‑opening victory over Omaha. Andy Kotelnick previews the upcoming UCF matchup, and a side note mentions Jacoby Brissett’s bid to revive Baltimore’s season. The post also links to regional news and quirky tidbits, but the core takeaway is the Fordham upset and the women's hoops triumph.
Is Respectable Good Enough?
Five years after Kansas hired Lance Leipold, the Jayhawks have swung from a nine‑win, bowl‑eligible high in 2023 to a 3‑5 start in 2026, sparking doubts about the program’s direction. Tim Riordan, former UB Bull Run editor, reflects on his 2021 interview with Leipold, discussing the coach’s flexible, program‑building reputation, the impact of the transfer portal, and the fallout from the Turner Gill hire. Riordan admits the results fall short of his expectations—he’d hoped for a steady 7‑8 win team with occasional 10‑win seasons—and questions whether Leipold can sustain success amid constant roster turnover. With Kansas needing three wins in its final four games to secure a bowl berth, the piece examines the future of Kansas football and Leipold’s tenure.
The Daily Mauling 11.4.26
Kansas heads into its next Big 12 showdown against UCF on Nov. 7 at 2:45 p.m. CT on ESPN2, now listed as a favorite for the first time this season after a 1.5‑point underdog stretch versus Baylor. The Jayhawks’ bowl hopes hinge on quarterback Marshall’s return, though coach Lance Leipold remains noncommittal. A Daily Kansan roundtable debates Bill Self’s 24th year, with some predicting it could be his last, while the women’s team is projected between a WBIT finish and a Sweet 16 run as a No. 5‑6 seed. Senior guard S’Mya Nichols makes the Nancy Lieberman preseason watch list for the second straight year.
Election Day Mauling: 11/3/26
The Kansas Jayhawks clinch a men’s basketball victory over the Fordham Rams at Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 2, 2026, highlighted by Tre White’s foul draw and a standout performance from freshman Trey Kaufman‑Renn, who coach Bill Self says will eventually start. The article also notes the season’s opening, extra eligibility rules for players, and a brief nod to election‑day coverage and regional flooding.
KU Hoops OGT: Fordham at Kansas
Kansas basketball faces Fordson at Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 3, 2026, entering the game as a 23.5‑point favorite. Coach Self plans to give freshman Trey Kaufman‑Renn some minutes, hoping the talented roster can lift campus spirits after a rough football start. The exhibition will tip off at 7 p.m. and stream on ESPN+ (via Hulu).
Kansas Named Finalist For 2027 Five-Star Forward
Kansas is a finalist in the recruiting battle for 2027 five-star small forward Malachi Jordan. The Florida native, ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 6 small forward nationally by 247Sports, narrows his choices to Kansas, St. John’s and Vanderbilt after official visits to USC and Tennessee as well. Scouts praise Jordan’s 6‑foot‑11‑plus wingspan, powerful frame and explosive athleticism, noting his 10.8 points per game in the EYBL and versatile scoring and passing skills. The Jayhawks now vie for a top‑class prospect ahead of the upcoming signing period.
A (Semi) Statistical Recap of TCU
Kansas eked out a 22-16 win over TCU on Oct. 31 in Fort Worth despite being outgained 451‑286 and dominating time of possession. The Jayhawks led 13‑0 at halftime, but TCU rallied with 87 rushing yards from QB Jaden Craig and two short TD runs to seal the victory. Kansas’ offense moved the ball well—Cole Ballard threw for 285 yards and two receivers topped 100 yards—but costly mistakes (missed 26‑yard FG, fourth‑down goal‑line fail, pick‑six, fumble) squandered scores. Their rushing collapsed after halftime, dropping from 5.5 yards per carry to 1.8, while TCU’s ground game surged to 7.0 yards per carry. The win improves Kansas to 3‑5 (1‑4 Big 12) and marks the Jayhawks’ sixth straight loss to TCU.
Join us for the 2026-27 Kansas basketball season on the SB Nation app
Rock Chalk Talk invites college basketball fans to download the SB Nation app for the 2026‑27 Kansas Jayhawks season. Launched two months ago, the app consolidates articles, Feed posts, and a new real‑time game chat that lets users comment on every play, with faster loading and notifications. Since its debut, single‑day commenting records have been broken three times. Available now for iOS and Android in North America (with global rollout pending), it offers an ad‑light experience, seamless community switching, and a classic front‑page view for those who prefer reading articles only. Join the live chat to react to every crossover, alley‑oop, and block as the season unfolds.
The Daily Mauling: 11/2/26
The Daily Mauling roundup (Nov. 2, 2026) highlights KU sports: the Jayhawks fell to TCU, prompting analysis from the Lawrence Journal‑World; the men's basketball team opens the 2026‑27 season vs. Fordham tonight; and Kansas volleyball sweeps K‑State before a record crowd. The post also links to broader headlines, including the Golden State Valkyries winning their first WNBA title and Denver’s unlikely comeback over the Chiefs. A light‑hearted Question of the Day about unusual pets rounds out the digest.
Kansas at TCU: Open Game Thread
The Jayhawks have a 2:30pm kickoff Jayhawk Time. The game will be broadcast on FS1. TCU is currently a 6.5 point favorite Rock Chalk!
Halloween Open Thread: 10/31/26
I’m switching things up. Instead of a links post on weekends, I’m going to try more of an open thread format for the weekend Weekend Discussion Topic What are your Halloween traditions?
TCU Preview
Kansas heads to Fort Worth on Oct. 31 to try a back‑to‑back Big 12 wins against TCU, both teams sitting 3‑4 overall and 1‑3 in conference. The Horned Frogs boast the nation’s stingiest defense, allowing just 4.1 yards per play and only three passing TDs all season, but have struggled offensively, falling to West Virginia 24‑20 last week. Kansas, fresh from a 25‑24 comeback over Baylor, relies on a run‑heavy attack anchored by Dylan Edwards (156 yards on 30 carries) but must avoid turnovers and third‑down traps against TCU’s disciplined unit. The game, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. on FS1, could decide which team keeps its bowl hopes alive.
The Daily Mauling: 10/30/26
The Daily Mauling roundup covers a mix of college and pro sports news: a flashback photo of Kansas Jayhawks running back Dezmon Briscoe from a 2009 game against Missouri, a recommended basketball podcast featuring Bill Self and a deep dive on the TCU matchup, KU hoops’ season opener against Fordham, Trump’s canceled Salina appearance, historic WNBA Finals headed to Game 7, the Panthers’ missed chance against the Packers and Christian Watson’s hospital injury, the passing of former football coach June Jones, and the Bears’ trade for All‑Pro DT Jeffery Simmons. The post ends with a question about favorite wild college football moments.
Kansas Basketball Picked Third In Big 12 Media Preseason Poll
The Big 12 media and coaches preseason polls, released on October 29, 2026, rank Kansas third behind Arizona and Houston. Both polls agree on the top three, with the Jayhawks led by five‑star freshman Tyran Stokes, who earns CBS Sports Preseason First Team All‑America honors and is projected as a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick. The full poll lists all 14 conference teams, confirming Kansas as a contender for a strong season in the league.
The Daily Mauling: 10/29/26
The Daily Mauling roundup spotlights Kansas sports and wider headlines. It notes Lance Leipold’s aggressive 4th‑down call against Baylor and Andy Kotelnicki’s green light for gadget plays, while DK McDonald discusses strategies to halt TCU. Bill Self’s recent remarks raise doubts about Trey Kaufman‑Renn’s role in the upcoming season opener. The post also reports Ernie Johnson’s departure from Inside the NBA, Pat McAfee’s Saturday Blitz antics on College Gameday, and broader issues like NBA injury list concerns, an NPR piece on presidential climate actions, and an Axios story on the Cheesecake Factory’s cultural clash. A quick mix of Jayhawk updates and national sports news.
The Daily Mauling 10.28.31
Kansas athletics dominate the Daily Mauling: football coach Lance Leipold faces mounting pressure as the Jayhawks slump to 3‑4, with a 24‑21 Orange Bowl win in 2008 highlighted by Todd Reesing’s heroics. A recent victory over Baylor offers a spark, but the defense still ranks last in Big 12 rush defense (166.9 yards allowed). Freshmen Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney provide bright spots, while basketball endures exhibition losses to Louisville and Duke. The post also notes ESPN’s deep dive on the Lakers’ sale and a feature on Oregon’s long‑time fan Ron McCullough.
The Daily Mauling: 10/27/26
Yes, I forgot the mauling. No I don’t have time to collect links. Question of the Day Name a professional athlete you really enjoy on the field, but know really wouldn’t want to meet in person
A (Semi) Statistical Recap of Baylor
Kansas snapped Baylor’s 14-game winning streak with a 25-24 thriller on October 24, 2026. After a blocked 45‑yard field goal by Blake Herold with 22 seconds left, the Jayhawks secured their first Big 12 victory of the season. Kansas outgained Baylor 421‑358 yards and dominated fourth‑down attempts, converting five of eight, while Baylor, previously strong on fourth‑down defense, failed to stop the comeback. Dylan Edwards rushed for 156 yards on 30 carries, and quarterback Jalen Marshall threw for 212 yards, two TDs and two picks. The loss prompted Baylor to fire head coach Dave Aranda the next day, adding him to the “Lawrence Unemployment Society” of coaches dismissed after Kansas defeats.
3 Things We Noticed After Kansas Exhibition Loss vs. Duke
Kansas fell 90-84 to Duke in its second exhibition loss, exposing defensive lapses and rebounding woes that could affect its Big 12 title chase. Freshman phenom Tyran Stokes leads the Jags with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, though his shooting is inefficient. Fellow freshman Taylen Kinney adds 14 points, while newcomer 7‑foot‑2 senior Christian Reeves shows promise on the glass with three offensive boards and two blocks, but needs to develop his scoring. The Jayhawks must tighten defense and improve free‑throw shooting to compete against elite opponents like Duke.
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