Maryland’s 2026 football schedule is out, and let’s just say-Mike Locksley and the Terps aren’t exactly easing into things. With a slate that’s already being called one of the toughest in the Big Ten, Maryland’s path back to bowl eligibility will require more than just a fast start-it’ll take consistency, resilience, and maybe a few upsets along the way.
The Big Picture: A Schedule That Doesn’t Let Up
CBS Sports ranked Maryland’s schedule as the fifth-most difficult in the Big Ten, and it’s easy to see why. The Terps are set to face three opponents projected to be preseason top-25 teams, including a home date against Virginia Tech and road trips to Ohio State, USC, and Nebraska. That’s a gauntlet by any standard, especially for a program looking to rebound after a disappointing finish to last season.
Locksley enters a pivotal year. After a 4-0 start in 2025, Maryland hit a wall and dropped its final eight games.
That late-season collapse has turned 2026 into a proving ground-not just for the players, but for the direction of the program under Locksley. The good news?
The early part of the schedule offers a chance to build momentum, with non-conference games against Hampton, UConn, and Virginia Tech.
Circle This One: Sept. 19 vs. Virginia Tech
This matchup carries a little extra spice. Virginia Tech comes to College Park led by James Franklin, who’s no stranger to Maryland fans after his long run at Penn State.
There’s history here-Locksley and Franklin have had their share of tension over the years, and the Terps were routinely steamrolled by Franklin’s Nittany Lions. Don’t be surprised if this one feels personal for Maryland’s sideline.
Road Woes and Marquee Matchups
Once conference play begins, things get real in a hurry. Maryland travels to Ohio State on Oct. 10, where they’ve never come close to cracking the code. The Buckeyes have won all nine meetings, and outside of a 52-51 thriller in 2018, the games haven’t been close-average score: 61-18.
The Terps also head west to face USC on Nov. 21.
The last time these two met, Maryland pulled off a dramatic comeback to win 29-28 in 2024. But this year, they’ll be walking into the Coliseum, and that’s a different beast entirely.
The road trip to Nebraska on Oct. 3 is another key test. Maryland picked up its first-ever win in Lincoln in 2023, but Nebraska still holds a 2-1 edge in the series. That game could swing the season one way or the other.
Home Cooking and a Late-Season Push
The Terps do catch a bit of a break with seven home games, including a late-season stretch that could be crucial if bowl eligibility is still in play. They’ll host Rutgers (Oct.
17), Illinois (Oct. 31), Wisconsin (Nov. 14), and Penn State (Nov. 28) in College Park.
The Rutgers game has grown into something of a regional rivalry, if not a full-blown one. Since both programs joined the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland leads the series 6-5, but Rutgers has taken the last two by double digits.
Illinois and Wisconsin also represent winnable matchups, though neither will be easy. The Illini edged Maryland 27-24 in their last meeting, and while the Terps beat Wisconsin 27-10 last season, that was their first win in five tries against the Badgers.
And then there’s the season finale-Penn State at home on Nov. 28.
The Nittany Lions have absolutely dominated this series, leading it 44-3-1 all-time. Maryland’s last win came in 2020 during the COVID-shortened season.
Since then, Penn State has won four straight by a combined score of 156-36. This year, they’ll come to College Park under new head coach Matt Campbell, but history suggests the Terps will have their hands full, especially with students likely off campus for Thanksgiving break.
A New Era in the Big Ten
The 2026 schedule also reflects the evolving landscape of the Big Ten. Maryland will host UCLA for the first time, a matchup that hasn’t happened since 1955-back when Maryland was ranked No. 5 and UCLA No.
- The Terps won that one 7-0 in a defensive slugfest.
Don’t expect a repeat of that scoreline in today’s game, but it’s a fun historical footnote.
Maryland also heads to Purdue on Nov. 7 in what might be the least glamorous matchup on the slate. The Boilers and Terps have combined for just two Big Ten wins over the past two seasons. Still, for a team trying to claw its way back to relevance, every game matters.
Bottom Line: No Room for Error
Maryland’s 2026 schedule is a pressure cooker. There are opportunities to notch wins early, but the back half of the season is unforgiving. If the Terps want to avoid another second-half collapse, they’ll need to show growth on both sides of the ball-and fast.
Locksley’s tenure has had its share of highs and lows, but this year feels like a crossroads. With a schedule this tough, every win will be earned, and every loss will sting. One thing’s for sure: we’ll learn a lot about this Maryland team-and its head coach-by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.