KU football’s 2011 conference schedule announced; nonconference game will be dropped

The Kansas special teams unit huddles together before kickoff against New Mexico State during the third quarter Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 at Kivisto Field.

Kansas University’s football team will have home games against Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Baylor next season, the Big 12 announced Thursday.

With the Big 12 moving to a 10-team setup, all schools will play nine conference games beginning next year.

In odd years, KU will have home games against Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech and road games at Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M.

Though the dates for 2011 have been set, they are tentative based on potential changes for television and other scheduling needs.

In an odd twist, KU will play Kansas State in Lawrence both this season and next season as the Big 12 reconfiguration of the scheduling begins.

As far as KU’s nonconference schedule, the Jayhawks will need to drop one of its four foes for the 2011 schedule.

KU next season is slated to play McNeese State, Northern Illinois and UTEP at home and travel to Georgia Tech.

“We are dropping a nonconference game. We have to negotiate that,” KU senior associate athletic director Larry Keating said.

“We hope to have an answer to that question within the next day or so,” he added of which team would be dropped off the slate. “I would think about everybody (in league) was done for 2011. Everybody has to do something about making a move. I think almost everybody had a similar situation.”

2011 KU football conference schedule

Oct. 1 — TEXAS TECH

Oct. 8 — at Oklahoma State

Oct. 15 — OKLAHOMA

Oct. 22 — KANSAS STATE

Oct. 29 — at Texas

Nov. 5 — at Iowa State

Nov. 12 — BAYLOR

Nov. 19 — at Texas A&M

Nov. 26 — vs. Missouri (Kansas City)

(Subject to change)

Even Years (Dates to be determined)