Wildcats faceoff against Jayhawks Oct. 25

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas football will face Kansas State at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in what coach has described as a must-win game, with the early kickoff potentially working against the Jayhawks despite having the home field advantage.

The game, officially known as the Sunflower Showdown and the 123rd meeting between the rivals, will be played at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium with TNT and truTV providing broadcasts, along with a simulcast on HBO Max.

The early start time has drawn criticism from Kansas fans and analysts, who point to research showing early kickoffs typically draw smaller crowds and less intense atmospheres than afternoon or evening games.

Kansas enters the game attempting to snap a 16-year losing streak against the Wildcats. The last Jayhawks victory over Kansas State came in 2008, when Kansas won 52-21 under former head coach Mark Mangino.

Kansas State, meanwhile, enters the game with a 3-4 overall record and 2-2 mark in Big 12 play. The Wildcats entered the season with expectations of winning the conference and reaching the College Football Playoff, neither of which appears likely after a disappointing start.

Despite the suboptimal kickoff time, Kansas officials expressed optimism that the poor performance by Kansas State would still draw a predominantly crimson-and-blue crowd. In past years, the stadium has been split 70-30 or 60-40 between the two schools.

Saturday's game will also mark the first Sunflower Showdown played in Kansas' newly renovated stadium and the Jayhawks' first home game in a month.

Kansas holds the all-time series record against Kansas State at 65-52-5. At home, the Jayhawks are 37-23-2 against the Wildcats.