The Big Ten has officially dropped the dates for the 2026 football schedule, and for Minnesota, it’s shaping up to be a season packed with tradition, travel, and a few heavyweight matchups that could define the year.
Let’s start with the nonconference slate. The Gophers open the season on Thursday, Sept. 3, at home against Eastern Illinois - continuing a tradition of Thursday openers that’s been in place since 2012.
Then things heat up quickly. On Sept.
12, Mississippi State rolls into Minneapolis for a rare SEC-on-Big Ten matchup. It’ll be the first time Minnesota hosts an SEC opponent since 1959, when Vanderbilt came to town and left with a 20-6 loss.
That’s a long drought - and a big opportunity to make a statement early. The nonconference stretch wraps up with Akron on Sept. 19, also at home, giving the Gophers a real shot at a 3-0 start before diving into a Big Ten schedule that’s anything but forgiving.
The conference opener is a headline-grabber: a road trip to face Washington on Sept. 26.
Not only is it Minnesota’s first visit to Seattle since 1976, but it’s also a chance for fans to experience one of the most scenic settings in college football - Husky Stadium on the edge of Lake Washington. And yes, sailgating is still a thing.
The matchup itself? Expect fireworks.
It’s a fresh addition to the Gophers’ Big Ten rotation, and opening conference play on the road against a new-look opponent will be a tone-setter for the rest of the season.
Minnesota returns home the following week, Oct. 3, to host Michigan in what could be one of the most intriguing games on the schedule. The Wolverines are now led by former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, who steps into the role after Sherrone Moore’s departure amid scandal. Whittingham brings a reputation for physical, disciplined football - something the Gophers will have to match if they want to defend their home turf.
From there, it’s a trip to Purdue on Oct. 10, where the Boilermakers may be leaning on a familiar face - Minnesota transfer Fame Ijeboi - as their lead back. That storyline alone adds some juice to a game that already carries plenty of weight in the Big Ten West.
The Gophers’ lone bye week falls on Oct. 17, and it couldn’t come at a better time. On Oct. 24, they host Iowa in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale - a trophy that’s been frustratingly elusive for Minnesota. The Gophers have dropped nine of the last ten in the series, and while both teams will be coming off bye weeks, the extra prep time might be just what Minnesota needs to flip the script in front of a home crowd.
Then comes the gauntlet. On Oct.
31, Minnesota travels to face reigning national champion Indiana - yes, you read that right. The Hoosiers are the defending champs, and that Halloween showdown, paired with the Iowa game the week before, marks the toughest two-game stretch on the Gophers’ 2026 calendar.
It also continues a recent trend: Minnesota has faced a reigning national champion in three straight seasons, with Ohio State and Michigan filling that role in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
November doesn’t let up. UCLA visits Minneapolis on Nov. 7 for the first time since 1977, adding another layer of historic intrigue.
Then it’s off to Happy Valley on Nov. 14 to face Penn State and new head coach Matt Campbell. The Gophers haven’t been to State College since 2022, when they were selected for the Nittany Lions’ annual “white out” game - an atmosphere that’s as electric as it gets in college football.
The final homestand of the season comes on Nov. 21 against Northwestern, and there’s more than just bowl positioning on the line - Minnesota will be looking to keep Paul Bunyan’s Axe for a third straight year. That hasn’t happened since the Gophers rattled off four straight wins over Wisconsin from 1984 to 1988. The season wraps up on Nov. 28 with a trip to Madison for the latest chapter in that storied rivalry.
All told, Minnesota’s 2026 schedule is a balanced mix of tradition and new challenges. The Gophers alternate home and away games all season, have just one bye week, and face a lineup that includes three teams with either national title pedigree or serious playoff aspirations.
There’s no question - this schedule will test Minnesota’s depth, toughness, and ability to win big games in big moments. But it also offers plenty of chances to make noise, both in the Big Ten and beyond.
Minnesota Gophers 2026 Football Schedule:
- Sept. 3 - vs. Eastern Illinois
- Sept. 12 - vs. Mississippi State
- Sept. 19 - vs. Akron
- Sept. 26 - at Washington
- Oct. 3 - vs.
Michigan
- Oct. 10 - at Purdue
- Oct. 17 - Bye
- Oct. 24 - vs. Iowa
- Oct. 31 - at Indiana
- Nov. 7 - vs.
UCLA
- Nov. 14 - at Penn State
- Nov. 21 - vs. Northwestern
- Nov. 28 - at Wisconsin
Circle your calendars. The road to the postseason - and maybe more - runs through one of the most compelling schedules the Gophers have had in years.