Maryland football heads into the 2026 season at a critical juncture - and now, with the Big Ten officially unveiling its full conference schedule, the road ahead is finally in focus. After two straight 4-8 seasons and identical 1-8 records in Big Ten play, head coach Mike Locksley is facing a high-stakes year.
The pressure is on, and the schedule? It's not doing him any favors.
Let’s break it down.
The 2026 Maryland Football Schedule
Sept. 5: Hampton (Home)
Sept. 12: at UConn (Away)
**Sept.
19: Virginia Tech (Home)**
**Sept.
26: UCLA (Home)**
Oct. 3: at Nebraska (Away)
Oct. 10: at Ohio State (Away)
**Oct.
17: Rutgers (Home)**
**Oct.
24: BYE**
**Oct.
31: Illinois (Home)**
Nov. 7: at Purdue (Away)
Nov. 14: Wisconsin (Home)
Nov. 21: at USC (Away)
**Nov.
28: Penn State (Home)**
Early Season: The Calm Before the Big Ten Storm
Maryland opens with a manageable trio of non-conference games - Hampton at home, a road trip to UConn, and then a visit from Virginia Tech. That last one, on September 19, is a key early litmus test. Virginia Tech isn’t a conference opponent, but they’re a respected program with enough talent to show us what kind of team Maryland really is before things get serious.
If the Terps can come out of September with a 2-1 or even 3-0 record, it sets a much-needed tone for what’s ahead.
Because once October hits, it’s go time.
Big Ten Gauntlet: No Hiding Anymore
The Terps jump into Big Ten play with a home game against UCLA - one of two new additions to the conference they’ll face this season. That’s followed by back-to-back road games at Nebraska and Ohio State.
Let’s be honest: winning in Lincoln is never easy, and Columbus? That’s a whole different beast.
The Buckeyes are perennial contenders, and playing them on the road in mid-October is about as tough as it gets.
After that brutal stretch, Maryland returns home for a more winnable matchup against Rutgers, then gets a much-needed bye week on October 24. That breather comes at a perfect time, right before the final push of the season.
Closing Stretch: No Let-Up in November
The back half of the schedule is no cakewalk either. Maryland hosts Illinois on Halloween weekend, then hits the road to face Purdue. November also brings home matchups against Wisconsin and Penn State, sandwiched around a cross-country trip to USC.
That’s a lot of physical football in a short span, and for a team that’s struggled to maintain consistency late in seasons, this stretch could define the year.
Penn State in the home finale is especially notable. The Nittany Lions weren’t on Maryland’s schedule last season, and having them back - and at home - gives the Terps a chance to close the year with a statement, assuming there’s still something to play for by then.
Roster Outlook: Retention and Rebuild
Despite the back-to-back losing seasons, there’s been no change at the top. Athletic director Jim Smith publicly backed Locksley in November, emphasizing a long-term vision and a renewed focus on NIL support, retention, and portal activity.
That message wasn’t just lip service. Maryland managed to keep most of its key contributors from last year’s squad.
The most notable departures were cornerback La’khi Roland, offensive lineman Aliou Bah, and defensive lineman Dillan Fontus - all solid players, but not irreplaceable. The core remains, and the Terps have added intriguing talent through the transfer portal that could help shore up depth and elevate the ceiling.
This isn’t a full rebuild. It’s a team that’s trying to retool on the fly, and the pieces are there for a step forward - if they can stay healthy and execute.
Big Picture: It’s Now or Never for Locksley
Let’s be clear: this is a make-or-break year for Mike Locksley. After two straight disappointing seasons, the goodwill from earlier bowl appearances is wearing thin. The administration has his back - for now - but results will matter more than rhetoric in 2026.
The schedule is unforgiving. The Big Ten isn’t getting any easier with the additions of UCLA and USC. But Maryland has a veteran core, a manageable non-conference slate, and just enough talent to be competitive.
Now they need to prove it on the field.
Because in a conference this deep, you don’t get many second chances.