Big 12 sets start date for Sept. 26
AUSTIN, Texas – If things go according to plan, the Big 12 will crown a conference football champion in the middle of December.
The Big 12 announced on Wednesday that its championship game for the 2020 football season has tentatively been scheduled for Dec. 12. If necessary, the title matchup could be delayed until Dec. 19.
The championship game had originally been scheduled for Dec. 5. But with the football season being altered because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Big 12 has made some edits to its calendar.
The Big 12 released its revised conference schedule on Wednesday.
In a teleconference, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby noted that the conference’s decision to move forward has given its coaches and athletes some clarity. Bowlsby conceded that there is a difference between clarity and certainty.
As of now, league play will begin on Sept. 26. Every school has two byes booked in the conference calendar.
The opening weekend of conference will see Oklahoma, winner of five consecutive Big 12 titles, host Kansas State. The Wildcats were the lone conference team to beat the Sooners last year.
Also scheduled that Saturday: Texas at Texas Tech; Kansas at Baylor; West Virginia at Oklahoma State; and Iowa State at TCU.
The annual Oklahoma-Texas game will still be played on the second Saturday
in October (Oct. 10) at the Cotton Bowl. However, there will be no State Fair of Texas taking place this year.
Here are some of the notable dates for the Big 12’s new schedule:
Iowa State at Oklahoma State: Oct. 24
Kansas at Kansas State: Oct. 24
TCU at Baylor: Oct. 31
Baylor at Texas Tech: Nov. 14
Iowa State at Texas: Nov. 28 Oklahoma will host Oklahoma State on Nov. 21 for the annual Bedlam battle. Will that be a preview for the Big 12’s championship game? Last month, the Sooners and the Cowboys claimed the top two spots in the Big 12’s preseason poll. Texas was ranked third in those preseason predictions.
Each of the Big 12’s schools can play one non-conference team this fall.