The Maryland football program is making a change to their future non-conference schedules.As first reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Terps are cutting two games from their original agreement with ACC opponent Virginia Tech. The teams will still meet this fall and in 2029, but not the two years in between.Instead, Mike Locksley's group will host Baylor in 2027 before making a return trip to Waco in 2028. Maryland Athletics confirmed the replacement in a press release.Sources: Maryland and Virginia Tech have adjusted the schools' four-game home-and-home series to now play only twice. Maryland will host Tech in 2026 as planned and return the game in Blacksburg in 2029. Maryland has added Baylor to replace the other two Tech games. pic.twitter.com/2OitGfewc8— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 29, 2026While the change may seem abrupt, there is very solid reasoning for it.The ACC is transitioning to a nine-game conference schedule beginning this fall, and while the Hokies were technically not overscheduled in 2027 or 2028, they did not have FCS opponents as part of their arrangements. With Notre Dame already on the calendar both years as part of their scheduling agreement with the conference, it makes more sense for James Franklin's team to drop a power conference opponent as opposed to two home games against Liberty.Nov 30, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; James Franklin (left) and Mike Locksley talk at midfield following a game at Beaver Stadium. Locksley is 1-5 against Franklin, who was hired by Virginia Tech after being fired from Penn State. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesMeanwhile, Baylor still needed one more FBS opponent for 2027 and 2028. That need is now addressed, and in a way that allows Maryland to have seven home games both years.The Terps and Bears have met only twice - a home-and-home series in 1955-56 where the visitor won both contests.The last time Maryland played a team from the Lone Star state was a one-off win over SMU in 2022. Before that, it was a home-and-home with Texas in 2017-18. The Terps also took both games of that series in upset fashion.Maryland's future schedules now look like this:2026Saturday, September 5 vs. Hampton Pirates (FCS)Saturday, September 12 at UConn HuskiesSaturday, September 19 vs. Virginia Tech HokiesSaturday, September 26 vs. UCLA BruinsSaturday, October 3 at Nebraska CornhuskersSaturday, October 10 at Ohio State BuckeyesSaturday, October 17 vs. Rutgers Scarlet KnightsSaturday, October 31 vs. Illinois Fighting IlliniSaturday, November 7 at Purdue BoilermakersSaturday, November 14 vs. Wisconsin BadgersSaturday, November 21 at USC TrojansSaturday, November 28 vs. Penn State Nittany Lions2027Saturday, September 4 vs James MadisonSaturday, September 11 vs Youngstown State (FCS)Saturday, September 18 vs BaylorBig Ten Home: Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, USCBig Ten Road: Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State, Rutgers, Washington2028Saturday, September 2 vs Towson (FCS)Saturday, September 9 vs DelawareSaturday, September 16 at BaylorBig Ten Home: Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, WashingtonBig Ten Road: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, UCLAIn other schedule news, start times for the first three weeks of the upcoming season were released, and two of the Terps non-conference games will be in primetime.The rest of the start times will be revealed after the start of the season.More from Maryland On SIStay up to date with the Terrapins by bookmarking Maryland On SI and follow us on Twitter.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow