Oct 9, 2026 3:52 PM
Updated Oct 9, 2026 3:57 PM
The Big Ten Commissioner says an expanded College Football Playoff will lead to better out-of-conference scheduling. How does Nebraska's future non-conference schedule compare to the rest of the league?
Tony Petitti wants a 24-team College Football Playoff.
This isn't news. The Big Ten Commissioner has been steadfast in that notion for a while now. He brought it up again this week at Big Ten Men's Basketball Media Days in Chicago, saying that it would also lead to better non-conference scheduling from the league's programs.
"We need to play more good games," Petitti said. "We think the season can start way better than it does. If we get the 24-team playoff, you're going to see many more competitive games scheduled. We'll commit to that."
This season, the Big Ten's 18 teams played 54 non-conference games. Those were largely against Group of Six opponents:
- 14 Power Four (and Notre Dame)
- 28 Group of Six
- 12 FCS
Purdue played two Power Four non-con games (Wake Forest and Boston College). Indiana, Nebraska, Penn State, USC, and Washington only played Group of Six and FCS teams.
What Petitti means by "more good games" is more Power Four games. So how does Nebraska compare to the rest of the league with future scheduling?
Nebraska
The Huskers won't play a Power Four opponent in 2027. A series with Tennessee was originally set to be finished that year (after already being rescheduled once), but the renovations to Memorial Stadium led the way to the series getting canceled.
Instead, the Big Red will take on Miami (Ohio) in Kansas City before hosting Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa.
Nebraska has at least one game scheduled for every season through 2035. Those matchups are below.
- 2028: vs. UTEP, vs. South Dakota State, vs. Arizona
- 2029: vs. Nevada, at Oklahoma
- 2030: vs. South Dakota State, vs. Oklahoma
- 2031: vs. Miami (Ohio), at Arizona
- 2032: vs. Notre Dame
- 2033: vs. Cincinnati, at Notre Dame
- 2034: vs. Oklahoma State
- 2035: at Oklahoma State
Despite playing zero Power Four opponents in 2026 and 2027, the Huskers will build up to a year in which they will play two in the same season in 2033. By then, however, it is unknown what conference realignment could have these matchups looking like, particularly if Notre Dame were to join a league.
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Nebraska through 2035, nine are from the Power Four, five are in the Group of Six, three are from the FCS, and 10 spots remain open.
Illinois
The Illini have at least one game scheduled through 2035, with the exception of 2031. The most common opponent is the rivalry game against Missouri. The two programs are set to meet six times over the next nine seasons.
- 2027: vs. Delaware, vs. Eastern Illinois, at Missouri
- 2028: vs. Illinois State, vs. Missouri, vs. Ohio
- 2029: vs. Buffalo, at Missouri
- 2030: vs. Southern Illinois
- 2032: vs. Western Michigan
- 2033: at Missouri
- 2034: vs. Missouri
- 2035: at Missouri
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Missouri through 2035, six are from the Power Four, four are in the Group of Six, three are from the FCS, and 14 spots remain open.
Indiana
Nobody has built a quicker reputation for weak non-conference scheduling than Curt Cignetti at Indiana. However, that has also led to two trips to the College Football Playoff and a national title, so the secret sauce is working in Bloomington.
What will it look like if the league starts requiring a Power Four opponent each season in the non-con? Then the Hoosiers will need to adjust a schedule or two.
- 2027: vs. Jacksonville State, vs. Kennesaw State, vs. Indiana State
- 2028: vs. Austin Peay, vs. Eastern Michigan, vs. Miami (Ohio)
- 2029: vs. Ball State, vs. Eastern Illinois, vs. WKU
- 2030: vs. Indiana State, vs. Delaware
- 2032: at UConn
Not only does Indiana not have a Power Four non-conference opponent scheduled, the Hoosiers have only one road game under contract, and that doesn't come until 2032.
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Indiana through 2035, zero are from the Power Four, eight are in the Group of Six, four are from the FCS, and 15 spots remain open.
Iowa
Iowa has a built-in, in-state rivalry with a Power Four opponent in Iowa State. The two teams have met 72 times throughout history, including every year since 1977 that wasn't interrupted by a global pandemic.
However, the Cy-Hawk Series is only under contract through the 2031 season. Could that series really come to an end? And if it does, how would Iowa go about scheduling a Power Four opponent each year? After all, the Hawkeyes have not played another Power Four opponent in the non-con over the past decade.
- 2027: vs. North Dakota, vs. Ball State, at Iowa State
- 2028: vs. UT Martin, vs. Iowa State, vs. Western Michigan
- 2029: vs. Northern Iowa, at Iowa State, vs. Northern Illinois
- 2030: vs. Florida Atlantic, vs. Iowa State
- 2031: at Iowa State
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Iowa through 2035, five are from the Power Four, four are in the Group of Six, three are from the FCS, and 15 spots remain open.
Maryland
The Terrapins have now been in the Big Ten Conference for more than a decade, but the non-con still features a healthy dose of ACC opponents, including Virginia Tech last month.
- 2027: vs. James Madison, vs. Youngstown State, vs. Baylor
- 2028: vs. Towson, vs. Delaware, at Baylor
- 2029: vs. Toledo, at Virginia Tech
- 2030: at Wake Forest, vs. Towson
- 2031: vs. Wake Forest
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Maryland through 2035, five are from the Power Four, three are in the Group of Six, three are from the FCS, and 16 spots remain open.
Michigan
After what should have been a season-opening loss to Western Michigan, the Wolverines turned around the next week and won at Oklahoma. A few Power Four games are on the schedule going forward, but it is mostly directional Michigan schools.
- 2027: vs. Buffalo, at Texas, vs. Eastern Michigan
- 2028: vs. Central Michigan, vs. Charlotte
- 2029: vs. Bowling Green, vs. Western Michigan
- 2030: vs. Eastern Michigan
- 2031: vs. Central Michigan
- 2033: vs. Notre Dame
- 2034: at Notre Dame
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Michigan through 2035, three are from the Power Four, eight are in the Group of Six, zero are from the FCS, and 16 spots remain open.
Michigan State
Another school in Michigan with a steady dose of directional in-state opponents coming up. The Spartans, however, have more Power Four opponents lined up so far.
- 2027: vs. Duquesne, vs. Central Michigan, vs. Notre Dame
- 2028: vs. Western Michigan, at Oklahoma State
- 2029: vs. Oklahoma State
- 2030: vs. Central Michigan, at Cincinnati
- 2031: vs. Western Michigan, vs. Cincinnati
- 2032: at BYU
- 2033:
- 2034:
- 2035:
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Michigan State through 2035, six are from the Power Four, four are in the Group of Six, one is from the FCS, and 16 spots remain open.
Minnesota
One thing P.J. Fleck hasn't been afraid of is scheduling a range of Power Four opponents. His program has recently played BYU, North Carolina, and Colorado. Multiple SEC opponents are scheduled over the next several years.
- 2027: vs. San Jose State, at Mississippi State, vs. Lindenwood
- 2028: vs. North Dakota, vs. Bowling Green, vs. California
- 2029:
- 2030: vs. North Dakota
- 2031:
- 2032: vs. Alabama
- 2033: at Alabama
- 2034:
- 2035:
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Minnesota through 2035, four are from the Power Four, two are in the Group of Six, three are from the FCS, and 18 spots remain open.
Northwestern
Outside of a return trip to Boulder, Northwestern's only upcoming Power Four opponent is UCF, who only recently made the move into the Big 12.
- 2027: vs. Holy Cross, at Colorado, vs. East Carolina
- 2028: vs. UCF
- 2029: at Rice
- 2030: vs. Illinois State
- 2031: vs. Western Illinois, at UCF, vs. Rice
- 2032:
- 2033:
- 2034:
- 2035:
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Northwestern through 2035, three are from the Power Four, three are in the Group of Six, three are from the FCS, and 18 spots remain open.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes continue to get matched up with the top of the SEC. After a home-and-home with Texas wrapped up this year, Ohio State has both Alabama and Georgia coming up.
- 2027: vs. Bowling Green, vs. New Hampshire, vs. Alabama
- 2028: vs. Buffalo, at Alabama, vs. Northern Illinois
- 2029: vs. Navy, vs. Charlotte, vs. Youngstown State
- 2030: vs. Nevada, at Georgia
- 2031: vs. Georgia
- 2035: vs. Boston College
- 2036: at Boston College
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Ohio State through 2035, five are from the Power Four, six are in the Group of Six, two are from the FCS, and 14 spots remain open.
Oregon
Oregon and Oregon State have played 129 times in history, one of the oldest rivalries in the sport. But they're taking a few years off, set to renew for a four-game agreement beginning in 2028. Because of that rivalry and the dissolution of the old Pac-12, the Ducks are short on Power Four opponents on the upcoming schedules.
- 2027: vs. Eastern Washington, vs. Coastal Carolina, vs. WKU
- 2028: vs. North Dakota State, vs. Sacramento State, at Oregon State
- 2029: vs. Portland State, vs. Utah State, vs. Oregon State
- 2030: vs. Oregon State
- 2031: at Oregon State
- 2032: vs. Texas Tech
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Oregon through 2035, one is from the Power Four, nine are in the Group of Six, two are from the FCS, and 15 spots remain open.
Penn State
Penn State is two things when it comes to future scheduling: efficient and short. The Nittany Lions don't have an open spot over the next two seasons, but also don't have any opponents on the docket after 2028.
- 2027: vs. Syracuse, vs. Maine, vs. Temple
- 2028: vs. Ball state, at Syracuse, vs. UMass
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Penn State through 2035, two are from the Power Four, three are in the Group of Six, one is from the FCS, and 21 spots remain open.
Purdue
After finishing up a series with Notre Dame in the next two years, the Boilermakers will dip into the SEC, Big 12, and ACC for future Power Four opponents.
- 2027: at Notre Dame, vs. Miami (Ohio)
- 2028: vs. Western Illinois, at Wake Forest, vs. Notre Dame
- 2029: vs. UConn, at Vanderbilt, vs. Indiana State
- 2030: at TCU
- 2031: at North Carolina
- 2032: vs. North Carolina
- 2033: at Ole Miss
- 2034: vs. Ole Miss
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Purdue through 2035, nine are from the Power Four, two are in the Group of Six, two are from the FCS, and 14 spots remain open.
Rutgers
One of the worst programs in the nation, Rutgers will continue to schedule regional opponents. The Scarlet Knights, however, won't have to see UMass against, unless a new contract gets a new game added to the future schedule.
- 2027: vs. Akron, vs. Boston College, vs. LIU
- 2028: vs. Norfolk State, at UConn, vs. Kent State
- 2029: vs. UConn, vs. Central Michigan
- 2030: at Temple, vs. Kent State
- 2031: vs. Temple, vs. Akron
- 2032: at Temple
- 2033: vs. Temple
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Rutgers through 2035, one is from the Power Four, 11 are in the Group of Six, two are from the FCS, and 13 spots remain open.
UCLA
Now in the Big Ten and ACC, the UCLA-Cal series continues for the next few years. The two programs have met 95 times in the past, but don't have a game scheduled as of yet to get them to 100.
- 2027: vs. UC Davis, vs. California, at Hawaii
- 2028: at California, vs. Hawaii
- 2029: vs. UC Davis, vs. California
- 2030: at Utah
- 2031: vs. UNLV, at San Diego State
- 2032: at Fresno State
Of the 27 future non-conference games for UCLA through 2035, four are from the Power Four, five are in the Group of Six, two are from the FCS, and 16 spots remain open.
USC
The historic series with Notre Dame is on hiatus for a few years, a truly unfortunate outcome for the sport. But it will be back in 2030, at least for four years.
- 2027: vs. UNLV, vs. Nevada
- 2028: vs. Fresno State
- 2030: vs. Notre Dame
- 2031: at Notre Dame
- 2032: vs. Notre Dame
- 2033: at Notre Dame
Of the 27 future non-conference games for USC through 2035, four are from the Power Four, three are in the Group of Six, none are from the FCS, and 20 spots remain open.
Washington
Just like with Oregon, an in-state rivalry against an old Pac-12 foe hurts the upcoming Power Four scheduling. That said, the Apple Cup is great for the game, so it should count all the same. They just need to get it extended beyond 2028.
- 2027: vs. Fresno State, vs. Portland State, at Washington State
- 2028: vs. Eastern Washington, vs. UNLV, vs. Washington State
- 2029: at Tennessee, vs. Boise State
- 2030: vs. Tennessee, vs. Hawaii
- 2031: vs. San Jose State
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Washington through 2035, two are from the Power Four, seven are in the Group of Six, two are from the FCS, and 16 spots remain open.
Wisconsin
Despite getting Alabama to Camp Randall a couple of seasons back, Wisconsin loves playing some Power Four non-conference games at neutral sites. This season saw the Badgers take on Notre Dame in Green Bay. Future games include one in Dublin and another in Charlotte, with the latter not including a team from the Carolinas.
- 2027: vs. Pitt (Dublin, Ireland), vs. Southern Illinois, vs. UMass
- 2028: vs. Marshall, vs. William & Mary, vs. Utah
- 2029: vs. Illinois State, at California, vs. Akron
- 2030: vs. California, vs. Northern Iowa, vs. Missouri State
- 2031: vs. Virginia Tech (Charlotte, NC)
- 2032: vs. Virginia Tech
- 2033: at Utah
- 2034:
- 2035:
Of the 27 future non-conference games for Wisconsin through 2035, seven are from the Power Four, four are in the Group of Six, four are from the FCS, and 12 spots remain open.
Breakdown
As of today, Nebraska and Purdue have the most Power Four non-conference games on the schedule through 2035, with nine each. That includes Nebraska not facing such an opponent in 2027.
The league average for Power Four non-con opponents through 2035 is 4.2. There are 10 programs below that number: Minnesota, UCLA, and USC at four; Michigan and Northwestern at three; Penn State and Washington at two; Oregon and Rutgers at one; and Indiana at zero.
In other categories, Nebraska has the least number of available games remaining to be scheduled at 10, with USC (20) and Penn State (21) having at least twice as many spots open. The Huskers are also right at the league average for Group of Six games scheduled and above the average for FCS opponents scheduled, though those numbers will likely shift as more games go under contract.
| School | P4 | G6 | FCS | Open |
| Illinois | 6 | 4 | 3 | 14 |
| Indiana | 0 | 8 | 4 | 15 |
| Iowa | 5 | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| Maryland | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| Michigan | 3 | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| Michigan State | 6 | 4 | 1 | 16 |
| Minnesota | 4 | 2 | 3 | 18 |
| Nebraska | 9 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| Northwestern | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
| Ohio State | 5 | 6 | 2 | 14 |
| Oregon | 1 | 9 | 2 | 15 |
| Penn State | 2 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| Purdue | 9 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Rutgers | 1 | 11 | 2 | 13 |
| UCLA | 4 | 5 | 2 | 16 |
| USC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Washington | 2 | 7 | 2 | 16 |
| Wisconsin | 7 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
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