Texas Tech AD: Expect Big 12 schedule on Friday

THE HI-NOTES

* Big 12 schedule coming Friday, Texas Tech’s Kirby Hocutt says

* Source: OU has its two vacant non-conference dates all but finalized

* Expectation is that OU-Texas will be Oct. 13, a week later than originally scheduled

CAMPUS CORNER — Texas Tech Kirby Hocutt was gathered in front of media types Thursday to talk about renovations to the school’s baseball stadium. The conversation inevitably turned toward football — and football scheduling.

Hocutt, sounding relieved, said to expect the Big 12 football schedule Friday. As in tomorrow. (At least we think he meant tomorrow. He just said Friday.)

Hocutt said changes were being adopted and discussed even as late as Wednesday night. But school officials, you can tell, have been getting closer and closer to releasing this. As we reported earlier in the week, interim league commish Chuck Neinas said TV execs received the tentative schedule last week, in time for the Feb. 1 deadline.

It could not be publicly released then because of West Virginia’s legal entanglements, but most parties felt as if the Mountaineers — at some cost — would be coming west in 2012. I’m not even sure if two schedules were actually developed. (That’ll be a good question, in hindsight.)

Sounds as if West Virginia has its issues with the Big East essentially settled. Remember that Feb. 9 — today — was the initial mediation date.

As far as OU is concerned, I’m told the pair of vacant non-conference opponents — Notre Dame has been set for years — are all but set. One is done, I’m told. The other’s finalization is dependent on the release of the Big 12 schedule. But they’re in place. I know, I know … you all want to know who the teams are — and where. Soon.