Instead of accepting that Kansas University will have a decline in average attendance for a seventh consecutive season, it is within your power to make sure that doesn’t happen and start a streak that heads in the other direction.

Here’s how:

Call five of your friends who also have an interest in KU football. Tell them that each of one of you needs to predict KU’s statistical leader in six different categories. Throw in $100 apiece and the winner takes all at season’s end.

That way, friends can go to games and root for themselves, against each other, in the event that things aren’t going so well for the home team. NFL fans do so with Fantasy Football. This is a variation on that theme.

Having money riding on six different players will give fans favorite players before the first play of the season in a year in which not many players head into the season with strong name recognition.

The categories: Passing yardage, receiving yardage, rushing yardage, sacks, tackles, interceptions. Six very tough calls.

In each category, the team leader from a year ago­ ­– either because of running out of eligibility, getting dismissed or suffering a season-ending injury ­– will not have a chance to defend his title.

The following tout sheet, with far less to go on than the ones I used to read at the dog track in Florida during spring training, might help, which is another way of saying it might not. So many candidates with so little experience.

Candidates listed in alphabetical order within that category:

Passing yardage

Montell Cozart, Jr.: If he wins the starting job, it won’t be because he is the best passer. It will be because he has the most experience and has the physical tools to develop into a running threat. So far, those skills haven’t translated to production. In college, sacks count against the quarterback’s rushing totals, but even so, Cozart was credited with just 63 yards on 52 “attempts.”

The hope is that having Cozart work with fewer options in a much simpler offense will keep him from over-thinking and let his athletic ability take over. Give him a primary target, and if he’s not open, tuck it and run.

It’s a gamble on many fronts. Michael Cummings was so much better than Cozart last season because he processes information much quicker and because he has a far more accurate arm. Simplifying things might camouflage the information-processing issue, but does Cozart have it in him to tuck it and run for gains without fearing inevitable contact? If so, he can make things happen with his graceful speed. If he wins the job and can’t take the hits, a shift to one of the freshmen will happen quickly.

Carter Stanley, Fr.: Two autumns ago, he was a junior in high school, backing up a senior. It’s a swift progression to go from that to starting for a Big 12 team that appears shaky with pass protection and incredibly shallow at wide receiver. That doesn’t mean Stanley can’t do it. It just means it would be a remarkable accomplishment if he does. He’s mobile, accurate with all types of throws and has a quiet confidence in his ability.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Stanley ran the exact same offense with much of the same terminology for Vero Beach High in Florida as offensive coordinator Rob Likens will run. Stanley threw for 40 touchdowns, rushed for eight and threw just seven interceptions.

His video impresses football coaches who have been around long enough to look for reasons to pick apart a prospect. Good sign.

T.J. Millweard, Jr.: His greatest value will come in helping Cozart and the freshmen understand the offense. He’s a quick study, but lacks the arm strength to win the job.

Ryan Willis, Fr.: His competitive nature has been on display during summer conditioning, where he takes pride in his performance in sprints, etc., and he has shown off an extremely strong arm.

At 6-4, 205, Willis is the biggest of the quarterbacks. He doesn’t have Cozart’s speed and probably isn’t as elusive in the pocket as Stanley, but he’s no statue. Willis led Bishop Miege to a 13-0 record and a 4A state title, throwing for 3,003 yards and 35 touchdowns.

The son of former Kansas State kicker Steve Willis, Ryan has been comfortable on a football field his whole life. He turned down a scholarship offer from K-State to pursue his own path.

He’s not the type to defer to anybody simply because of his age or experience level. He’s bold enough to chase the job with everything he has.

Rushing yardage

Taylor Cox: Coming off an Achilles injury, Cox didn’t run with the same explosiveness during spring practices. Has had trouble staying healthy, missing one season because of a hamstring injury, another with the Achilles. Has averaged 5.2 yards on 97 carries at Kansas.

Cozart: If he gets the starting nod at quarterback, can take the punishment that comes with being a run-first quarterback and if Kansas uses a running-back-by-committee approach, Cozart could lead team in rushing. That’s a lot of ifs.

Ke’aun Kinner, Jr.: Put up huge rushing totals throughout high school and junior college and showed more durability than his frame might suggest. He looks smaller than his program weight of 180 yards, raising questions as to whether he can be an every-down back in the Big 12. Has all the speed, vision and moves to make it happen, at the very least as a situational back.

De’Andre Mann, Sr.: Ran extremely hard for Kansas in his first year out of junior college, but playing time faded as he battled concussions. Won’t be cleared to play unless he can show he has overcome the effects of concussions. Head coach David Beatty is extremely cautious when it comes to concussions, a reality that will make parents feel comfortable sending their sons to play for him. Was KU’s second-leading rusher (399 yards on 85 carries), ranking behind only since-dismissed Corey Avery.

Taylor Martin, Fr.: Ran for 72 touchdowns in three seasons for Dunbar High in Fort Worth, Texas, and was a two-time district champion in the 100-yard dash.

Looks and plays bigger than his program measurements of 5-10, 180. Running back, more than most positions, lends itself to freshmen gaining immediate playing time. KU won’t put any training wheels on him and the hope is that he can develop into a featured back.

Receiving yardage

Jeremiah Booker, Fr.: His 6-2, 195 body is mature for a freshman and he has a reputation for knowing how to use it. He was a district champion hurdler and hurdlers tend to make better receivers than sprinters because they don’t mind taking hits.

Cozart: If things don’t work out at quarterback, he has the tools to make a dangerous receiver.

Darious Crawley, So.: Split time between receiver and running back as a freshman and was a valuable special teams player. Will be used more as a receiver, but leading the team in yardage might be a stretch.

Chase Harrell, Fr.: A 6-4, 200-pound target, he’s a good down-the-line prospect, but might not have built enough strength to compete in the Big 12 just yet.

Bobby Hartzog, So.: Same height (5-11) and weight (189) as Crawley, Hartzog has shown flashes in practice.

Ben Johnson, So.: Tight end will start in part because he’s a better blocker than his competition. He’s not a deep threat, but could get singled out often as second option.

Emmanuel Moore, Fr.: Had 93 receptions for 1,291 yards and 20 touchdowns for Northwest High in Haslet, Texas, last season. Turned down North Texas to come to KU.

Derrick Neal, So.: Speed makes him a big-play threat, but does not necessarily project as an every-down receiver.

Tre’ Parmalee, Sr.: Only player on roster who caught pass lined up as wide receiver. Caught four for 21 yards. Has 20 career catches.

Quincy Perdue, So.: UAB transfer does not have to sit out because UAB dropped its football program, only to reinstate it for the 2017 season. Didn’t get to play much as a freshman, but one of his two catches went for 75 yards. At 6-3, 210, he’s a big target. Potential starter.

Steven Sims, Fr.: Houston high school standout also was recruited by McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin.

Kent Taylor, Jr.: Florida transfer has had trouble putting on weight, so he’s on the small side for a tight end and has not demonstrated blocking skill. Doesn’t have the speed to match typical college wide receivers, but he does know how to run routes and catch the ball.

Sacks

Ben Goodman, Sr.: After spending a year playing on the inside, third-year starter moves back to the outside, where he had solid sophomore season. Ranked second on the team with three sacks in 2013.

Damani Mosby, Jr.: Generated the most buzz of anybody during a standout spring. Very quick off the line of scrimmage and earns high grades for agility. Had 7.5 sacks in his final season of juco ball.

Anthony Olobia, Jr.: Quick off the line of scrimmage, he made a strong impression on coaches during the spring. Had eight sacks in second season of juco ball.

Tackles

Courtney Arnick, Jr.: Started five games last season and six the season before that. Weighs 207 pounds, which helps him get into the right position, but prevents him from being a bite-your-head-off ‘backer in the mold of Ben Heeney or Joe Mortensen. Ranked sixth on team with 45 tackles a year ago.

Bazie Bates, Jr.: Safety puts a lot of speed into his hits and loves making them sting. Fast and fit, he’s a true talent who could make his mark as soon as this season.

Goodman: Knows what he’s doing and plays with a great deal of passion.

Schyler Miles: Has the instincts to be in the right place and the strength to finish hits, but will his knees enable him to play enough to lead team in tackles?

Mosby: Has the quickness to be around the ball a lot and the strength to slam ballcarriers to the ground.

Marcquis Roberts: If transfer from South Carolina can get healthy and gain immediate eligibility, he’ll help at linebacker, a thin position.

Tevin Shaw: Nickel back was eighth last season with 36 tackles. Has improved his body and his game every season at Kansas. Good player.

Fish Smithson, Jr.: As a reserve safety a year ago he ranked fifth on the roster in tackles. Has nose for the ball and strong understanding of how to play the game.

Interceptions

Bates: Led Trinity Valley Community College with four interceptions. Has a knack for making the big play.

Tyrone Miller, Fr.: Recruit from Ann Arbor, Michigan had just one interception his senior year of high school, but has impressed coaches during summer with coverage skills.

Brandon Stewart, Jr.: Cornerback moved well during the spring and made it a goal to put on weight during the summer in order to stand up to the rigors of Big 12 football. Led Trinity Valley Community College with 19 pass breakups and had three picks.

Staff predictions

Tom Keegan: Carter Stanley, Ke’aun Kinner, Quincy Perdue, Damani Mosby, Bazie Bates, Brandon Stewart.

Benton Smith: Ryan Willis, Taylor Martin, Chase Harrell, Ben Goodman, Fish Smithson, Matthew Boateng.

Matt Tait: Montell Cozart, Taylor Martin, Ben Johnson, Damani Mosby, Bazie Bates, Tyrone Miller.