KU will play Deion Sanders, Colorado in 2024 + takeaways from Big 12 schedule release

KU football’s home and away conference opponents for the next four seasons were unveiled on Wednesday by the Big 12.

The conference will expand to 16 teams next season with the addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah from the Pac-12. In July, the Big 12 added BYU, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati.

KU will host four home conference games in 2024 and be on the road for five. Highlights from Kansas’ 2024 conference schedule include home games vs. Colorado and TCU and a road test at Arizona State.

All 12 of Kansas’ opponents for the 2024 season have been unveiled, as the Jayhawks will host Lindenwood (Aug. 31) and UNLV (Sept. 14) and travel to Illinois (Sept. 7) in nonconference play.

Game dates and times will be announced at a later date.

Takeaways from Big 12 schedule reveal

1. The Sunflower Showdown isn’t going anywhere. Kansas only has one opponent that it will play in all four seasons — K-State. The Big 12 seemed to protect certain rivalries, like the Sunflower Showdown, while others were left behind. For example, KU doesn’t play ISU in 2026. KU will play each team in the conference at least twice over the next four seasons.

2. Coach Prime is coming to Lawrence. Perhaps the most exciting matchup of next season is Kansas hosting Colorado at David Kansas Booth Memorial Stadium. Anywhere coach Deion Sanders goes, theatrics and high ratings follow. If both teams are good, this matchup could end up in prime time or on a national network

3. KU’s 2024 conference schedule looks the easiest it has been in years. The current Kansas team (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) is a long shot for the Big 12 title but will likely finish in the top 5. With the departure of OU and Texas, the Big 12 will be completely wide open. It’s a little early to say now, but Kansas’ chances to win the Big 12 in 2024 may be the best they’ve had since the Lance Leipold era (if not a whole lot longer).

You can see the 2024 schedule below.

Kansas football Big 12 opponents (next four seasons)

2024 opponents:

Home: Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, TCU

Away: Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Kansas State, West Virginia

2025 opponents:

Home: Cincinnati, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Utah, West Virginia

Away: Arizona, Iowa State, Texas Tech, UCF

2026 opponents:

Home: Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, UCF

Away: Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Utah, West Virginia

2027 opponents:

Home: Arizona, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech

Away: BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston