By Danielle Daniels
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced league opponents for the 2024-28 football seasons today using the Flex Protect XVIII Model, which was designed to accommodate an 18-team conference beginning with the 2024 season.
The Big Ten will continue to play a nine-game league schedule and protect 12 annual matchups, which includes Maryland-Rutgers.
Primary objectives of the Flex Protect XVIII Model, which incorporated extensive feedback from schools, athletic directors, and coaches, are to:
- Ensure all 18 schools play each Big Ten Conference opponent at least twice – one home and one road – in a five-year cycle.
- Balance travel each year by distance, regions of the conference and time zones
- Allow for flexibility as postseason formats evolve with the goal of creating the best pathway for member schools to access the expanded College Football Playoff.
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.
Below are Maryland’s home and away opponents for 2024-28. All game dates and times will be announced at a later date.
2024
Home: Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, Rutgers, USC
Away: Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State
2025
Home: Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington
Away: Illinois, Michigan State, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin
2026
Home: Illinois, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin
Away: Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, USC
2027
Home: Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, USC
Away: Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State, Rutgers, Washington
2028
Home: Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, Washington
Away: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, UCLA
COURTESY MARYLAND ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
