Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Stephen Carrera/Northwestern Athletics
Big Ten Conference Unveils Football Opponents for Next Five Seasons
10/5/2023 11:23:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference introduced a football scheduling model and opponents for the next five seasons in anticipation of welcoming Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington to the conference beginning in the 2024 season.
Developed in collaboration with member schools, coaches, and athletic directors, the 'Flex Protect XVIII Model' was designed to accommodate the 18 Big Ten football programs while ensuring that each of the 18 schools will face every Conference opponent at least twice – once at home and once on the road – over a comprehensive five-year cycle.
The new scheduling model incorporates extensive feedback from schools, athletic directors and coaches from all 18 member institutions to ensure the traditions of the Big Ten Conference remain strong as the conference evolves. Primary objectives include:
Continuation of Nine-Game League Schedule: The Big Ten reaffirmed its commitment to a nine-game league schedule, a tradition upheld since 2016.
Preservation of 12 Annual Matchups: Central to the 'Flex Protect XVIII Model' is the preservation of 12 annual matchups as well as a blend of historic, geographic rivalries, and trophy games. In collaboration with athletic directors, this selection ensures that schools will play all other members at least two times – and no more than three times – within a five-year cycle.
The guaranteed annual protected matchups are Northwestern-Illinois, Illinois-Purdue, Indiana-Purdue, Iowa-Minnesota, Iowa-Nebraska, Iowa-Wisconsin, Maryland-Rutgers, Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Ohio State, Minnesota-Wisconsin, Oregon-Washington and UCLA-USC.
Balanced Travel Each Year: The model takes into account various travel factors, including distance, regional alignment, and time zones, to balance annual travel across member schools.
The 2024 season will conclude with the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game, which will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship. Tiebreaking procedures will be announced later.
The game dates for the 2024 football schedule will be announced at a later date.
Northwestern 2024 Opponents:
Home
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Away
Iowa
Maryland
Michigan
Purdue
Washington
Northwestern 2025 Opponents:
Home
Michigan
Minnesota
Oregon
Purdue
UCLA
Away
Illinois
Nebraska
Penn State
USC
Northwestern 2026 Opponents:
Home
Illinois
Iowa
Penn State
Rutgers
Away
Indiana
Michigan State
Minnesota
Ohio State
Oregon
Northwestern 2027 Opponents:
Home
Maryland
Michigan State
Nebraska
Ohio State
Washington
Away
Illinois
Rutgers
UCLA
Wisconsin
Northwestern 2028 Opponents:
Home
Illinois
Indiana
USC
Wisconsin
Away
Maryland
Michigan
Nebraska
Purdue
Washington
Developed in collaboration with member schools, coaches, and athletic directors, the 'Flex Protect XVIII Model' was designed to accommodate the 18 Big Ten football programs while ensuring that each of the 18 schools will face every Conference opponent at least twice – once at home and once on the road – over a comprehensive five-year cycle.
The new scheduling model incorporates extensive feedback from schools, athletic directors and coaches from all 18 member institutions to ensure the traditions of the Big Ten Conference remain strong as the conference evolves. Primary objectives include:
Continuation of Nine-Game League Schedule: The Big Ten reaffirmed its commitment to a nine-game league schedule, a tradition upheld since 2016.
Preservation of 12 Annual Matchups: Central to the 'Flex Protect XVIII Model' is the preservation of 12 annual matchups as well as a blend of historic, geographic rivalries, and trophy games. In collaboration with athletic directors, this selection ensures that schools will play all other members at least two times – and no more than three times – within a five-year cycle.
The guaranteed annual protected matchups are Northwestern-Illinois, Illinois-Purdue, Indiana-Purdue, Iowa-Minnesota, Iowa-Nebraska, Iowa-Wisconsin, Maryland-Rutgers, Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Ohio State, Minnesota-Wisconsin, Oregon-Washington and UCLA-USC.
Balanced Travel Each Year: The model takes into account various travel factors, including distance, regional alignment, and time zones, to balance annual travel across member schools.
The 2024 season will conclude with the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game, which will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship. Tiebreaking procedures will be announced later.
The game dates for the 2024 football schedule will be announced at a later date.
Northwestern 2024 Opponents:
Home
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Away
Iowa
Maryland
Michigan
Purdue
Washington
Northwestern 2025 Opponents:
Home
Michigan
Minnesota
Oregon
Purdue
UCLA
Away
Illinois
Nebraska
Penn State
USC
Northwestern 2026 Opponents:
Home
Illinois
Iowa
Penn State
Rutgers
Away
Indiana
Michigan State
Minnesota
Ohio State
Oregon
Northwestern 2027 Opponents:
Home
Maryland
Michigan State
Nebraska
Ohio State
Washington
Away
Illinois
Rutgers
UCLA
Wisconsin
Northwestern 2028 Opponents:
Home
Illinois
Indiana
USC
Wisconsin
Away
Maryland
Michigan
Nebraska
Purdue
Washington
Football - Purdue Game Week Press Conference (10/13/25)
Monday, October 13
Football - Penn State Postgame Press Conference (10/11/25)
Saturday, October 11
Football - Northwestern Stuns Penn State on the Road, 22-21 (10/11/25)
Saturday, October 11
Football - Penn State Game Week Press Conference (10/6/25)
Monday, October 06
