Notre Dame’s 2027 schedule got a shakeup this week, and it came with a familiar twist: one Big Ten opponent out, another one in.
Purdue announced Tuesday, Nov. 3, that Notre Dame is off the Boilermakers’ schedule in 2027. Soon after, Notre Dame revealed a home-and-home series with Illinois, giving the Irish a new Big Ten matchup after Purdue’s decision to hit “pause” on the rivalry.
The Illinois series will begin Sept. 4, 2027, when the Illini come to Notre Dame Stadium. The return game is set for Sept. 2, 2028, in Champaign. Notre Dame and Illinois have not played since 1968, and the Irish own the all-time series 11-0-1, starting with a 5-0 win in 1898.
For Notre Dame, the 2027 slate already has plenty on it. The season opens Aug. 28 at home against Kent State, and the schedule also includes road games at Michigan State on Sept. 18, at Clemson on Oct. 30, at Virginia on a TBD date, at Duke on a TBD date, at Stanford on Nov. 27, plus home dates with Auburn on Sept.
25, Navy on Nov. 20 and BYU on a TBD date. The Irish’s six-game ACC schedule also includes Wake Forest on Oct. 9 in Charlotte and Virginia Tech on Nov.
Purdue’s move replaces Notre Dame with West Virginia on a non-conference slate that also includes Miami (Ohio) and FCS opponent Albany. In its release, Purdue said the West Virginia addition “will place a pause on Purdue’s longstanding series against Notre Dame.”
The Boilermakers have lost 11 straight to Notre Dame since their last win in 2007. That stretch includes four losses since 2021, with the last three games producing a combined score of 171-47.
“Getting Coach Odom’s program into matchups that best serve our goals and ambitions has been a focus of mine since arriving in West Lafayette,” first-year athletic director Tommy McClelland said in a statement. “The tradition-rich rivalry of Purdue and Notre Dame, a matchup that has been played on and off 90 times in program history, will be reevaluated for potential addition to future schedules.”
Notre Dame and Purdue first met in 1896, and since 1957 the teams have played for the Shillelagh Trophy. The Irish lead the series 62-26-2.
The scheduling shuffle comes after Indiana canceled its two-game series with Notre Dame for 2030-31 in early August. Notre Dame responded by adding a four-game resumption of its series with USC for 2030-33.
In Other News...
Colts Just Locked In A Key Defender For What Comes Next
Adetomiwa Adebawores rise has given the Colts something they can actually plan around on the defensive front. A fourth-round pick in 2023, he has steadily worked his way into a more important role, and Indianapolis has now made it clear it views him as part of the long-term core rather than just another young lineman trying to find his footing.
The extension also says plenty about where the Colts think they need to go next up front. With the defensive tackle room set for a rebuild, locking in Adebawore gives the team a dependable starting point as it reshapes the interior of the defense, and it puts more pressure on the front office to find the right pieces around him. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Finally Made A Move Fans Can Feel Good About
After spending much of the season looking for stability up front, the Colts have made a move that should sit well with their fan base. Indianapolis has agreed to a contract extension with defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore, rewarding a player who has taken a noticeable step forward this year in both pass-rushing and run defense.
Adebawores growth has given the Colts a more encouraging piece to build around on the defensive line, especially with his improved disruption in the backfield and steadier play against the run. For a team that has spent plenty of time searching for answers, keeping a young lineman trending in the right direction is the kind of decision that can make the rest of the roster feel a little more settled. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Buzz Puts Colts In A Tough Spot
The trade deadline chatter around Jonathan Taylor has put the Colts in an awkward position, with the Giants reportedly showing interest in the running back as they look to address both their offense and defensive front. New York is also exploring other playmakers and linemen, but Taylor remains a name to watch because of the kind of impact he can still bring if a deal ever gets serious.
Indianapolis, though, is not in a position to move him cheaply. The Colts are believed to be asking for a steep return, which makes any potential agreement tricky even for a team actively shopping for help. For now, the buzz says as much about the market as it does about Taylor, and it leaves the Colts balancing roster value against the possibility of a deadline move that may never get close. [Read more 🡒]