by Sean Szymczak
We mapped out the best possible season-long Big Ten road trip in order to see as many teams play in as many different venues as possible.
18 games in 18 different stadiums in 15 weeks.
Week 1
Thursday August 29th: UNC vs Minnesota
Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN
We have a triple-header of games to attend in college football’s opening weekend. To start, go watch the first Big Ten football game of 2024 when the Tar Heels travel to take on the Gophers.
This is a severely underappreciated matchup. Minnesota is one of the most underrated teams in the entire country heading into this season. With improved play on both lines of scrimmage, a good collection of offensive skill position players, loads of experience at every position, and a ‘must win’ type season for PJ Fleck, Minnesota could surprise a lot of people. And even though UNC says farewell to Drake Maye, they return plenty of talent to remain a player in the ACC. Their preseason win total is set at between 7.5 – 8.5 depending on the book.
This matchup also features one of the best and most unique uniform matchups you’ll see all season. The collision of baby blue argyle with marron & gold on the field will be a pleasure to watch even if the game gets out of hand one way or the other.
Saturday August 31st: Miami OH vs Northwestern
Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL
You’ll have all day Friday to make the 6-hour drive from Minneapolis to Northwestern. The Wildcats aren’t typically a must-see destination, but their unique stadium is worth going to see.
While Northwestern constructs their new stadium, their practice field (which is surrounded by water on 3 sides) has been turned into a makeshift stadium. Their intimate setting posts fans right on top of the field unlike any stadium in college football. While it won’t be deafening, the environment is sure to be worth the trip. And it’s best to stop by before Evanston gets bitterly cold.
The matchup should be entertaining too. Northwestern is fresh off a surprise 7-win season under David Braun. Miami, meanwhile, is coming off of an 11-win season and MAC Championship.
Sunday September 1st: USC vs LSU
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
Northwestern’s campus is within 20 miles of both O’Hare & Midway airport in Chicago, making it easy to make it to Vegas in time for Sunday’s primetime matchup between USC and LSU.
It’s hard to imagine a better place to close out your Labor Day weekend than in Las Vegas, watching the best matchup of week 1 at one of the country’s most beautiful stadiums.
Week 2
Saturday September 7th: Colorado vs Nebraska
Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska
This will be the 73rd matchup between the longtime rivals. Although the aura of the rivalry may have faded since the annual series ended in 2011, the hatred has been reignited thanks in part to the running mouths of Deion Sanders and his sons.
This game will feature two teams trying to reverse long trends of losing football – and each have viable reasons to believe they could be top-25 caliber teams in 2024.
The game will be between two rivals who have no love lost for each other. And it will be played in one of college football’s best environments. Hard to ask for anything more on a college football Saturday.
Week 3
Saturday September 14th: Notre Dame vs Purdue
Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN
Another longtime rivalry that has been forgotten over the years. They’ve played only once since 2014, but this will be the 86th matchup between the Indiana-based teams.
Ross-Ade Stadium might be the most underrated environment in the Big Ten. Even in the midst of a losing season, students and fans showed up in troves for games last year, bringing noise and passion every single week. With a likely preseason top-10 team and CFP favorite coming to town, the building will be shaking.
A chance to witness a groundbreaking upset under the lights is hard to pass up.
Week 4
Saturday September 21st: USC vs Michigan
Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI
The stark difference in philosophies and play styles between these two bluebloods is what makes this matchup so fascinating and a must-see on our Big Ten road trip.
Even before Lincoln Riley, USC has been known for quite some time as a high-flying, fast-paced team that wins with offense. Michigan, meanwhile, has leaned on an immovable defense and menacing offensive line to win three straight Big Ten titles. The matchup of contrasting ideologies will be fascinating to watch play out on the gridiron.
Even if the game ends in a blowout, the mesmerizing clash of maize & blue with cardinal & gold is enough to keep all eyes fixed on the field.
Week 5
Friday September 27th: Washington vs Rutgers
SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ
We have a double-header in week 5. First up, a matchup that seems like the farthest thing from a conference game: Washington at Rutgers.
The Rutgers faithful are one of the most underappreciated fanbases in the country. Their tailgate scene is among the best in the Big Ten and they have no problem packing SHI Stadium and making a ruckus. The problem is, Rutgers football games have tended to be over by halftime since they joined the Big Ten. But not this year.
The Scarlet Knights should be 3-0 entering this matchup and the crowd will be ready for the defending Pac-12 champs. This should be a fun game in a loud environment between two relatively evenly matched teams.
Saturday September 28th: Illinois vs Penn State
Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA
Penn State is just a 3.5-hour drive from Rutgers, giving you plenty of time to make the trip Saturday morning.
Illinois will be the homecoming game for Penn State and will be played at either 3:30pm or 7:30pm EST. Although we won’t know for sure until the season starts, it’s looking more and more likely that this will be Penn State’s whiteout game. That is a truly can’t-miss opportunity.
Even if this game ends up not being the whiteout, seeing a game in Happy Valley should be on everyone’s bucket list. Illinois’ offense seems like it is good enough to at least give Penn State a run for its money. After all, the game went to 9 OTs the last time these teams faced off at Beaver Stadium in 2021.
Week 6
Saturday October 5th: Michigan vs Washington
Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA
Overlooking Union Bay on Lake Washington, Husky Stadium is one of the prettiest and most iconic places to watch a college football game. Can’t imagine a better matchup to watch there than a rematch of last year’s national championship.
While both teams are expected to take a step back this year (Washington more so than Michigan), the energy and passion that will be infused in this game makes it a can’t-miss.
Week 7
Saturday October 12th: Ohio State vs Oregon
Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR
We get to stay in the PNW for another week, as the Buckeyes travel to take on the Ducks in what is one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the 2024 season. Ohio State and Oregon are head-and-shoulders above the rest of the Big Ten from a talent perspective and should two of the top four teams in any preseason poll.
To be honest, the implications of this game are being overstated. I would be very surprised if these two teams aren’t rematching in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title. Even so, an opportunity to see two of the nation’s best square off at a stadium like Autzen is impossible to pass up.
Autzen Stadium stands across the Willamette River. It is a modernized stadium in a beautiful location, sitting on a bed of river rock just north of Oregon’s main campus. It isn’t the biggest stadium, but Oregon fans are known for being among the loudest fans per capita in the entire country. And with Buckeye fans coming to town, the environment in this game might be one of the best we see in any game this season.
Week 8
Saturday October 19th: Iowa vs Michigan State
Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI
After spending a couple weeks out west to see two of the Big Ten’s newest venues, it’s time to come back to the midwest for some old school, classic conference collisions. Iowa vs Michigan State is one of the matchups that just screams autumn in Big Ten country.
This might not be the sexiest matchup of the season, but Iowa boasts one of the nation’s best defenses and might actually have an offensive pulse this year with the addition of Northwestern QB Brendan Sullivan and new OC Phil Lester. Michigan State has real optimism around its program for the first time since 2021 thanks to the arrival of new HC Jonathan Smith and QB Adian Chiles.
This should be a tight game in a classic Big Ten venue.
Week 9
Saturday October 26: Penn State vs Wisconsin
Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI
Everyone needs to experience “Jump Around” at Camp Randall at least once in their life. And when Penn State comes to town, it might be the loudest that stadium gets all season long.
This game could have legitimate CFP implications too. Penn State appears to be entering 2024 as a consensus top-10 team. Thanks in part to a loaded defense, the minimum expectations for Nittany Lion fans this year is to reach the CFP for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, Luke Fickell is looking to get the Badgers on track after a rocky first season. The schedule does Wisconsin no favors, but a QB upgrade, stacked offensive line, and one of the nation’s best secondaries makes double-digit wins a real possibility for the 2024 Wisconsin Badgers.
Week 10
Saturday November 2nd: Wisconsin vs Iowa
Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA
Wisconsin vs Iowa has been the de facto Big Ten West title several times over the past decade. Even without divisions, this game figures to have plenty of Big Ten & CFP implications. And if you like defense, this might be your favorite game to watch all season.
Matchup aside, Iowa boasts one of the best gameday atmospheres in the country. The Hawkeye Wave alone is enough reason to make it to Iowa City for a game.
Week 11
Saturday November 9th: Michigan vs Indiana
Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
Indiana has been the Big Ten’s bottom-feeder for the majority of the 21st century. But with the arrival of former JMU coach Curt Cignetti, winning seems to be the expectation for the first time in a long time.
Indiana gets a major QB upgrade with longtime Ohio starter Kurtis Rourke. They also have one of the nation’s best wide receiver rooms and have given the defense a total makeover with a litany of star pickups in the portal. Thanks to a September schedule that features FIU, Western Illinois, Charlotte, UCLA, and Maryland, there is a real possibility the Hoosiers are bowl eligible when the Wolverines come to town.
A relevant Indiana squad hosting a top-25 opponent that seems at least semi-beatable has all the makings for a special atmosphere. After all, Michigan had to rally in the 4th quarter to escape with a win last time they played here in 2022.
Week 12
Saturday November 16th: Nebraska vs USC
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA
As temperatures begin to drop and the sun hides behind unassailable clouds across the midwest in November, it is the perfect time to spend a couple of weeks in California. First, a matchup between two bluebloods who have struggled to return to supremacy over the past couple decades.
Only time will tell how relevant this matchup will be. But watching these two brands face off in 75 degree weather in November sounds like a dream no matter their records.
Week 13
Saturday November 23rd: USC vs UCLA
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA
We’ll stay in Cali for another week to make a trip to the most iconic stadium in the entire country – the Rose Bowl.
I don’t expect UCLA to be all that competitive in 2024. But rivalries like this one tend to level the playing field. And for all the prior talk about uniform matchups, this game with both teams wearing their home uniforms is hard to beat.
Week 14
Saturday November 30th: Michigan vs Ohio State
Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH
This one should be a no brainer, right? There isn’t a single game that carries more weight and implications for a coach and for a program than when Michigan comes to town to take on the Buckeyes.
On paper, Ohio State should be able to handle Michigan and earn their first win in the rivalry since 2019. But with a game of this magnitude, handling the pressure and the mind games can be just as important as the reps on the field.
The atmosphere in Columbus for the 120th edition of The Game should be as loud as it is anxious. The hatred between these two ways of life will be palpable all season long, culminating in a battle on the field on November 30th.
Week 15
Saturday December 7th: Big Ten Championship
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN
After a long season of tailgating, traveling, and taking in everything these great Big Ten campuses have to offer, it’s only right to see the season off in Indianapolis.
The CFP implications of the Big Ten Championship cannot be understated. Even if both teams have playoff spots all but secured, this game will determine who gets a 1st-round bye, and who has to play a game on campus right before Christmas.
Notes
Times seeing each team play:
- USC, Michigan: 4
- Penn State, Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Washington, Wisconsin: 2
- Rutgers, Illinois, Indiana, UCLA, Purdue, Michigan St, Minnesota, Oregon, Northwestern: 1
- Maryland: 0 (sorry Terp fans, we’ll get ya next year)
Big Ten stadiums missed:
- Maryland, Illinois