There will be Kansas State and Kansas football this season, for now. The Big 12 Conference reaffirmed its decision to press on with college football and other fall sports today, joining the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences in taking the field amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The move came one day after the Big Ten and Pac-12 announced they would not be participating this fall.
Big-12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says they will continue to reevaluate the situation.
Bowlsby adds they are expecting issues.
The Big 12 board of directors approved a plan to begin fall sports after September 1, 2020. Football will play a schedule in which each team can play one non-conference game before league play begins September 26. The schools will all play each other to give them 10 total games with the Big 12 title game scheduled for Dec. 12.
The Big-12 schools have agreed to enhanced COVID-19 testing that includes three tests per week in “high contact” sports such as football, volleyball and soccer. Rigorous testing that includes echocardiograms, a cardiac MRI and blood tests will be required before athletes can return to play after a positive test.
Non-conference football opponents must also adhere to COVID-19 testing protocols that conform to Big 12 standards during the week leading up to competition.
To ensure consistent health and safety protocols, Volleyball and Soccer matches will be limited to conference opponents only.
The Big-12 Conference also released its revised 2020 football schedule.
Each team will have a minimum of two bye dates and potentially a third bye late in the season. The Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Game is tentatively scheduled for December 12.
Kansas State announced Tuesday that they would play Arkansas State on September 12.
The Wildcats will open Big-12 play at Oklahoma.
Kansas opens Big-12 play at Baylor.
The Jayhawks non-conference opponent has not been determined.
The Sunflower Showdown is scheduled for October 24th in Lawrence.
