The Big Ten football schedule Conference recently unveiled its five-year football scheduling model, spanning from 2024 to 2028. This new model considers the significant additions of Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA in 2024, which presents exciting challenges and opportunities for the Big Ten’s football landscape.
One major takeaway from the released schedule is the extensive West Coast travel required for many Big Ten teams. In 2024, all but one of the existing 14 Big Ten schools (Purdue being the exception) will embark on journeys to the West Coast. For example, UCLA will make trips to Penn State, Nebraska, and Rutgers, while USC is set to face off against Minnesota, Michigan, and Maryland. Washington, on the other hand, will square off with Indiana, Iowa, Penn State, and Rutgers, and Oregon is scheduled to visit Michigan, Purdue, and Wisconsin.
The long-distance nature of these games highlights the challenges posed by Big Ten expansion and the need to balance travel for both players and fans. Kerry Kenny, the Big Ten COO, acknowledged that “a lot of these may have occurred as nonconference competition.” As teams adapt to the new scheduling model, some nonconference games may be integrated into the conference schedule, creating a more balanced and efficient system.
This new scheduling model, named “Flex Protect XVIII,” aims to foster increased competitiveness and ensure that all 18 Big Ten schools face each other at least twice, both at home and away. To maintain fairness, rotating opponents will not be played more than three times within this five-year period. The number of conference games remains at nine, with tiebreaking procedures yet to be announced. Additionally, the Big Ten is committed to removing divisions from the league beginning in 2024.
Protected Rivalries
The Big Ten has identified 12 traditional rivalries as “protected.” These rivalries are a combination of historic and geographic significance, as well as trophy games. These games will be played each season on a rotating home-and-home basis. Penn State is the only Big Ten program without a protected rival, while Iowa has the most with three. Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Purdue each have two protected rivalries.
Big Ten Football Schedules
Illinois 2024-2028:
Home: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, USC
Away: Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers
Iowa 2024-2028:
Home: Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington, Wisconsin
Away: Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State
Michigan 2024-2028:
Home: Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oregon, USC
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Washington