After losing for the third time in four games, TCU football will be at a crossroads when its host Kansas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium on FS1.
The Horned Frogs (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) had hoped to build momentum off their win over Baylor on Oct. 17 to launch a three-game winning streak to end October before a brutal November slate. With West Virginia throwing a wrench in those plans with the Horned Frogs’ 24-20 defeat, the game against the Jayhawks (3-4, 1-3) becomes even more vital.
If TCU can’t beat Kansas, how will the program manage in November with three ranked opponents — No. 22 Arizona, No. 6 Utah and No. 13 Texas Tech — plus another matchup with Kansas State, which is 3-1 against Sonny Dykes at TCU.
The Jayhawks’ November schedule could be a tough one, too, with Kansas slated to face two ranked teams. Saturday is a must-win for both teams if they hope to reach a bowl game.
Here are four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, the Kansas Jayhawks:
Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall (left) goes in for the game-winning 15-yard touchdown run in front of Baylor safety Bo Onu in the fourth quarter Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan. Ed Zurga Getty Images Talented, but inexperienced QB
After dealing with West Virginia’s Michael Hawkins Jr., the Horned Frogs will face another dual threat quarterback in Kansas sophomore Isaiah Marshall.
Marshall emerged as the successor to Jalon Daniels during the preseason and has shown flashes of his upside and potential. He’s also shown his inexperience at times.
On the season, Marshall has thrown for 1,506 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 403 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. However, Marshall has been intercepted seven times and has thrown four interceptions in the Jayhawks’ past three games.
While Marshall is capable of picking up big numbers like when he threw for 333 yards in a loss against Utah, Kansas operates best with him as a game manager.
Kansas is 0-3 this season when Marshall has to attempt over 30 passes and 3-1 when he attempts 29 or fewer. Similar to Hawkins, the Jayhawks aren’t afraid to give Marshall his carries in the backfield, with the sophomore totaling 29 carries in the Jayhawks’ past two games.
Marshall is prone to mistakes, but he can also take over a game if TCU isn’t prepared.
Well-traveled running back
Along with Marshall, Kansas is also led by Kansas State transfer running back Dylan Edwards. Edwards started his career at Colorado in 2023 and helped the Buffaloes upset TCU 45-42 in the Horned Frogs’ season opener. Edwards had 135 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the game, and many thought he would join Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders as a national star.
Kansas running back Dylan Edwards (1) runs during the first half against Baylor on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan. Jay Biggerstaff IMAGN IMAGES
But Edwards left Boulder after his freshman season and spent the past two seasons at Kansas State. He was productive, but never emerged as the starter, leading to him transferring to Kansas. The 5-foot-9 senior is on pace to have his best season, with 531 rushing yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 104 carries.
Edwards needs 16 yards to set a career-high in yards and two more rushing touchdowns to set a career-best in that stat. Edwards won’t be the best running back TCU has faced this season, but those veterans from 2023 understand how quickly Edwards can change a game if he’s not accounted for.
Defense with a clear weakness
The Jayhawks rank in the middle of the pack or slightly below average in the Big 12 in most defensive categories, but the unit has a glaring issue that teams have been able to exploit. The Jayhawks rank last (16th) in the conference in rush defense, with teams averaging 166.9 rushing yards.
Kansas State running back Joe Jackson fights past Kansas linebacker Jibreel al-Amin to score on an 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter Oct. 17, 2026, at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan, Kan. Peter Aiken Getty Images
In two losses earlier this month, Kansas allowed 287 rushing yards to Utah and 359 to Kansas State. The Jayhawks showed some fight in that area in last week’s win over Baylor, as Kansas limited the Bears to just 122 yards.
While the unit’s numbers are underwhelming, it’s not a given TCU will be able to run at will. The Horned Frogs rank last in the Big 12 in rushing at 110.3 yards per game and struggled to score against a West Virginia defense that came in allowing 45 points per game.
Kansas has a weakness, but does TCU have the capability to exploit it?
Standout edge rusher
While depth is a question mark, Kansas does some high-end talent on its defense. The biggest name to know is junior Leroy Harris III, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound edge rusher who is among the most disruptive in the Big 12.
Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons throws a pass under pressure from Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III during the second half Sept. 11, 2026, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan. Jay Biggerstaff Getty Images
Harris ranks second in the Big 12 in tackles for loss with 11 and tied for the seventh in sacks with 3.5. Harris needs just 1.5 sacks to set a career-high. Harris didn’t pick up these stats against lesser teams; all of them came against Big 12 opponents.
Beyond pressuring quarterbacks and blowing up run plays behind the line of scrimmage, Harris has also forced three fumbles on the season. He’s tied with TCU nickel safety Kylin Jackson for the most in the conference.
With TCU’s issues on the offensive line and quarterback Jaden Craig’s turnover issues, Harris could easily make a game-changing play with his ability as a pass rusher.
Game schedule dates, times, locations Sept. 13 N.Y. Giants 28, Cowboys 20 Sept. 20 Cowboys 37, Washington 20 Sept. 27 Baltimore 34, Cowboys 31 Oct. 4 Cowboys 34, Houston 30 Oct. 8 Tampa Bay 24, Cowboys 16 Oct. 18 Green Bay 23, Cowboys 13 Oct. 26 Cowboys 38, Philadelphia 21 Nov. 1 vs. Arizona, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 8 at Indianapolis, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., Fox Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., Fox Dec. 7 at Seattle, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Dec. 20 at L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m., CBS Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville, 7:20 p.m., NBC Jan. 3 vs. N.Y. Giants, 12 p.m., Fox Jan. 9 or 10 at Washington, TBA Aug. 29 North Carolina 15, TCU 10 Sept. 12 TCU 63, Grambling State 7 Sept. 19 TCU 31, Arkansas State 7 Sept. 26 Central Florida 21, TCU 13 Oct. 3 BYU 17, TCU 10 Oct. 17 TCU 17, Baylor 6 Oct. 24 West Virginia 24, TCU 20 Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, 2:30 p.m., FS1 Nov. 6 at Arizona, 9:15 p.m., ESPN Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA Nov. 26 at Texas Tech, 7 p.m., ESPN Sept. 5 Indiana 52, North Texas 16 Sept. 12 North Texas 44, UNLV 6 Sept. 19 Texas State 49, North Texas 35 Sept. 26 North Texas 63, Houston Christian 14 Oct. 1 North Texas 45, Tulsa 44 (OT) Oct. 10 North Texas 50, Charlotte 10 Oct. 24 North Texas 49, Navy 39 Oct. 29 vs. Florida Atlantic, 6:30 p.m., ESPN Nov. 7 vs. Rice, 3 p.m., ESPNU Nov. 14 at UTSA, TBA Nov. 21 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 28 vs. UAB, TBA All home games at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium Aug. 27 Central Oklahoma 59, Texas Wesleyan 7 Sept. 5 McNeese State 52, Texas Wesleyan 0 Sept. 12 Texas Wesleyan 56, Texas College 20 Sept. 26 Texas Wesleyan 41, Nelson 16 Oct. 3 Texas Wesleyan 34, Arkansas Baptist 27 Oct. 10 Louisiana Christian 42, Texas Wesleyan 27 Oct. 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor 38, Texas Wesleyan 22 Oct. 24 Texas Wesleyan 69, Langston 25 Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State, 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Ottawa (Arizona), 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Wayland Baptist, 2 p.m. Oct. 21 Houston 128, Mavericks 110 Oct. 23 Mavericks 121, Indiana 105 Oct. 24 San Antonio 122, Mavericks 106 Oct. 26 Mavericks 113, Miami 109 Oct. 28 vs. Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 30 vs. Houston, 7 p.m., ABC, KFAA, MavsTV+ Nov. 2 vs. Sacramento, 7 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+ Nov. 4 at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m., ESPN Nov. 6 vs. Utah, 7 p.m., ABC, KFAA, MavsTV+ Nov. 2 vs. Lindenwood, 7 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 6 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 10 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 8 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 13 vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 19 vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m., Peacock Nov. 3 vs. Oral Roberts, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 5 vs. Le Moyne, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 8 vs. Tarleton State, 2 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 10 vs. Iona, 4 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 12 vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Oct. 14 Stars 3, Colorado 2 (SO) Oct. 17 Stars 4, Chicago 0 Oct. 20 Stars 3, Boston 2 (OT) Oct. 22 Stars 3, Winnipeg 2 (OT) Oct. 25 Stars 6, N.Y. Islanders 3 Oct. 27 vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 29 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 31 vs. Columbus, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Nov. 3 at Washington, 6 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Nov. 5 at Columbus, 6 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Sept. 26 FC Dallas 1, LAFC 0 Oct. 10 Charlotte 3, FC Dallas 2 Oct. 14 FC Dallas 1, Seattle 0 Oct. 17 FC Dallas 2, Houston 2 Oct. 24 FC Dallas 3, San Jose 0 Oct. 28 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 31 at Kansas City, 2 p.m., Apple TV Nov. 7 vs. Colorado, 6 p.m., Apple TV End of regular season Oct. 29-31 POWRi Racing Nov. 5-7 POWRi Racing Nov. 12-15 Southwest RV Supershow Dec. 5 Team Texas: David Starr’s Racing School Dec. 12 NASCAR Racing Experience April 30 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 May 1 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 May 2 NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400
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