The Big Ten announced conference football schedules for the 2026 season on Tuesday.
Here is the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ complete football schedule for 2026:
- Thu, Sep. 3 – Eastern Illinois Panthers
- Sat, Sep. 12 – Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Sat, Sep. 19 – Akron Zips
- Sat, Sep. 26 – @ Washington Huskies
- Sat, Oct. 3 – Michigan Wolverines
- Sat, Oct. 10 – @ Purdue Boilermakers
- Sat, Oct. 17 – BYE
- Sat, Oct. 24 – Iowa Hawkeyes
- Sat, Oct. 31 – @ Indiana Hoosiers
- Sat, Nov. 7 – UCLA Bruins
- Sat, Nov. 14 – @ Penn State Nittany Lions
- Sat, Nov. 21 – Northwestern Wildcats
- Sat, Nov. 28 – @ Wisconsin Badgers
After finishing 0-5 away from home in 2025, the Gophers are hoping to fare better on the road in 2026, though it will be an uphill battle considering the level of competition.
The three toughest road trips:
1. Indiana (Oct. 31). The defending national champs are 15-0 at home in two seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers are losing
several offensive position players, including Heisman quarterback Fernando Mendoza, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, and top running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. But four starters on the offensive line return, and Indiana only needs to replace five starters from a stout defense. I would expect the Hoosiers to reload this offseason and be back in contention for a national title come fall.
2. Washington (Sep. 26). The Huskies had won a program-best 22 consecutive home games before a Week 5 loss to Ohio State last season. Washington is 60-14 at home since 2016. Head coach Jedd Fisch nearly lost the centerpiece of his offense when quarterback Demond Williams Jr. attempted to enter the transfer portal before opting to return to Washington. The Huskies will need to replace their leading rusher and leading receiver, but the defense should be solid with only a few new faces in the secondary.
3. Penn State (Nov. 14). The Gophers have not won at Beaver Stadium since 2003. The Matt Campbell era begins with a roster featuring 39 incoming transfers, including 24 who played for Iowa State last season.
