The Boulder Daily Camera is reporting Colorado is negotiating with Ohio State to fill the open date on the Buckeyes' 2011 schedule.
Sources have told the Camera that CU officials are on the verge of adding Ohio State to the 2011 schedule. If the proposed deal is finalized, the Buckeyes would host the Buffs in Columbus next fall. CU would receive a payout in the neighborhood if $2 million for traveling to the Horseshoe. Ohio State would not make a return trip to Boulder. During a recent conversation with boosters in Texas, CU athletic director Mike Bohn said he was negotiating with a Big Ten school to be added to the 2011 non-conference slate. The Buffs are scheduled to play Cal at Folsom Field next season, but that will likely be a Pac-12 conference game if CU is able to leave the Big 12 after the 2010 season. According to sources from both schools, the proposed Ohio State-CU football deal could also include an agreement to play a men's basketball series.The Buckeyes have October 15 open in 2011 and the deal would, beyond giving the CU athletics department some much-needed cash for the impending Dan Hawkins contract buyout, help facilitate Colorado's move to the Pac-10 to begin play next season. UPDATE 6:50pm: Gene Smith released the following statement, confirming the ongoing negotiations (yet disputing the $2m figure):
"We are trying to finalize an agreement on a game for 2011. We hope to have an announcement on that within the next month. As everyone knows, both schools are working on their conference schedules for 2011. I will say that the figure is not 2 million. Details will be released later."
