Big Ten finalizes 2026 schedule for Maryland football

Ahmed Ghafir
4 minutes ago
1 min read

Head coach Mike Locksley and Maryland football will look to turn the page after consecutive four-win seasons, and on Tuesday, the 2026 path became official with the Big Ten releasing the conference schedule.

Maryland will open the conference slate against UCLA with a chance to avenge a 20-17 last-minute loss in 2025, the last of three consecutive one-possession losses for Maryland through October. The road opener will come against Nebraska, the second team to hand Maryland a one-score loss at home during the October portion of the 2025 slate. While Locksley enters a pivotal year eight, head coach Matt Rhule also enters a pivotal year four and first without Dylan Raiola, who will be the backup at Oregon in 2026.

Maryland will face USC on the road for the first time ever while the matchup against Ohio State in Columbus will mark the first since 2023.

One outlet projects Maryland's early win/loss total at 6.5, though the majority of sportsbooks have yet to release that ahead of spring ball.

With teams only enjoying one bye week beginning in the 2026 season, Maryland will enjoy their bye week midway through the October slate.

Full 2026 schedule:

Sept. 5: Hampton

Sept. 12: at UConn

Sept. 19: Virginia Tech

Sept. 26: UCLA

Oct. 3: at Nebraska

Oct. 10: at Ohio State

Oct. 17: Rutgers

Oct. 24: BYE WEEK

Oct. 31: Illinois

Nov. 7: at Purdue

Nov. 14: Wisconsin

Nov. 21: at USC

Nov. 28: Penn State

Related Links