You’re sitting there, maybe scrolling through your phone or staring at the calendar, and the question hits you: does KU play football today? It’s a fair thing to ask. Kansas football has been on a wild ride under Lance Leipold, and honestly, the schedule can get kinda confusing once you hit the winter months.
But here is the quick reality check. Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026. If you came here looking for a kickoff time for the Jayhawks on the gridiron, I’ve got some bad news. There is no Kansas football game today. In fact, the team hasn't been on the field for a meaningful snap since late November.
Why the Jayhawks aren't on the field
The 2025 season didn't exactly end with the fireworks Jayhawk fans were hoping for. Kansas finished their campaign with a 5-7 record. Because they didn't hit that magic six-win mark, they weren't eligible for a bowl game. Their season effectively hit a wall on November 28, 2025, after a 31-21 loss to Utah at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
While teams like Texas Tech and Utah were busy playing in the Orange Bowl and Las Vegas Bowl over the holidays, the Jayhawks were already looking toward the 2026 recruiting class. It’s a tough pill to swallow after the highs of previous seasons, but that's the reality of the Big 12 right now. It's a meat grinder.
Does KU play football today or is it basketball season?
If you're in Lawrence right now, the energy isn't at the stadium. It’s at Allen Fieldhouse. While you're asking does KU play football today, the rest of the town is actually gearing up for a massive showdown on the hardwood.
Tonight, January 13, the Kansas men's basketball team is hosting No. 2 Iowa State. It's an 8:00 PM CT tip-off on ESPN. This is where the confusion usually stems from—KU is a "basketball school" by reputation, so when people check "the KU game," they’re usually seeing Bill Self’s squad, not Leipold’s.
What happened to the 2025 football season?
Look, Jalon Daniels did everything he could. He threw for over 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns this past year. But the defense struggled, and the schedule was brutal. Losing to Missouri in the Border Showdown (42-31) early in September really set a somber tone for the year.
They had some bright spots, for sure. That 41-10 blowout against West Virginia in September felt like the team we expected to see. But then came the close losses—a three-point heartbreaker to Cincinnati and a four-point slip-up against Arizona. When you lose three games by a combined 10 points, that’s the difference between a bowl trip and sitting at home in January.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Since there's no game today, you might be wondering when you can actually see them play again. The 2026 season is going to be historic for a weird reason.
- September 5, 2026: Season opener against LIU at home.
- September 12, 2026: The Border Showdown returns to Lawrence against Missouri.
- September 19, 2026: This is the big one. KU travels to London, England, to play Arizona State at Wembley Stadium.
Yeah, you read that right. The Jayhawks are going international. It’s part of the Big 12’s new global initiative, and it’s going to be one of the most talked-about games in program history. If you're planning on going, start saving for that flight across the pond now.
Key takeaways for Jayhawk fans
Basically, your Tuesdays in January are for basketball, not football. The college football season is currently in its final stages of the National Championship cycle, and KU just didn't make the cut this time around.
- Final 2025 Record: 5-7 (3-6 in Big 12 play).
- Next Opportunity: Spring game (usually in April) or the September 5 opener.
- Tonight's Pivot: Watch KU vs. Iowa State at 8:00 PM on ESPN if you need a Jayhawk fix.
If you’re still itching for football content, keep an eye on the transfer portal. Coach Leipold and the staff are actively rebuilding the roster right now. They just announced Andy Kotelnicki as the Associate Head Coach earlier this month, which is a massive win for the coaching staff stability.
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Check the official KU Athletics site for updates on spring practice dates once they get released in February. You can also start looking into tickets for the London game against Arizona State, as those are expected to go fast once they hit the general public.