It will all start in Champaign, Ill., for the 2011-12 Gophers.

The Big Ten announced its 2011-12 schedule Wednesday afternoon. Minnesota will begin its conference slate at Illinois Dec. 27 (Big Ten Network).

That's just the start of an opening run that will involve multiple charter flights during the holiday season for Tubby Smith's program.

The Gophers will play at Michigan on New Year's Day (Big Ten Network). Four of the team's first six games will be road matchups.

Check out the full Big Ten schedule.

I'll have a full breakdown later this week.