Big Ten Lines Up Gophers Football Opponents for Next 5 Seasons
As the dynamics of the Big Ten continue to evolve, the league has lined up the Minnesota Golden Gophers football opponents for the next five seasons.
As we've heard, the Big Ten footfall conference is growing again, to 16 teams in 2024, and 18 teams in 2025. USC and UCLA will be new conference members next season, followed by Oregon and Washington the following year.
Beginning this upcoming season, the Big Ten is also eliminating the East and West divisions. The top two teams in the standings at the end of the regular season will play for the conference championship.
While specific dates for most of the games remain unannounced, we do know who will be the home opponents at Huntington Bank Stadium, and who the Gophers will face on the road.
2024
Home: North Carolina, Rhode Island, Nevada, Iowa, Maryland, Penn State, USC
Away: Illinois, Michigan, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin
2025
Home: Buffalo, Bowling Green, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin
Away: California, Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon
2026
Home: Eastern Illinois, Mississippi State, Akron, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA
Away: Indiana, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin
2027
Home: San Jose State, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Washington, Wisconsin
Away: Mississippi State, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, USC
2028
Home: North Dakota, California, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Oregon
Away: Michigan State, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin
The Golden Gophers still need to add one additional non-conference game to their schedules in both the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
These schedules look insanely difficult. Things certainly will not be getting any easier for the Gophers with the addition of the Trojans, Bruins, Ducks, and Huskies to the conference lineup.
Ski U Mah! Row the Boat! Go Gophers!