Kansas-Kansas State Game Time Set for 11 a.m. Kickoff

The time is officially set for one of the biggest games on Kansas’ 2026 football schedule.

The Kansas Jayhawks will travel to Manhattan on Saturday, Oct. 17, to take on the Kansas State Wildcats in the annual Dillons Sunflower Showdown. The Big 12 Conference announced Monday that the rivalry game will kick off at 11 a.m. CT and be televised nationally on FS1.

The matchup will take place at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, giving Kansas another important road test as it enters the second half of its Big 12 schedule.

The early kickoff is notable because the Jayhawks have played several different time slots throughout the 2026 season. Kansas has already played night games against Long Island and Missouri, an 11 a.m. game against Arizona State at Wembley Stadium and another 11 a.m. contest against Middle Tennessee. The K-State matchup will be Kansas’ second 11 a.m. local kickoff of the season.

For Kansas, the game will come one week after its trip to Utah. The Jayhawks are scheduled to face the No. 12 Utes on Oct. 10 at 9:15 p.m. CT on ESPN before making the trip to Manhattan the following weekend.

The Sunflower Showdown will also be an important opportunity for Kansas to try to end a difficult stretch against its in-state rival. Kansas State has won the last 17 meetings between the two programs, including the last eight games played at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats won last year's matchup in Lawrence 42-17.

Despite the recent dominance by Kansas State, Kansas still leads the all-time series. The Jayhawks currently hold a 65-53-5 advantage entering the 134th meeting between the programs. Kansas State, however, owns the advantage in games played in Manhattan, where the Wildcats lead 29-28-3.

The early start could create an interesting environment for both teams. Kansas State has traditionally been known for a strong home-field advantage, and an 11 a.m. kickoff will give fans an opportunity to start rivalry Saturday early.

For Kansas, the focus will be on preparation and execution. After facing Utah on the road the previous week, the Jayhawks will have another difficult Big 12 road game immediately afterward.

Fans looking for additional coverage of the matchup can follow the latest updates from Kansas Athletics and the Big 12 Conference, while JayhawkRoundtable will provide additional Kansas-focused coverage leading into the rivalry game.

With the kickoff time now official, Kansas and Kansas State fans can officially mark their calendars. The Sunflower Showdown will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Oct. 17, with the rivalry once again taking center stage in the Big 12.