The Big Ten dropped its 2026 football schedules, and for Rutgers, the path back to bowl eligibility is officially on the board. After just missing out in 2025, the Scarlet Knights have a slate that’s no walk in the park-but it’s navigable. With a home-heavy start and some winnable road matchups, there’s a real shot for Greg Schiano’s squad to be playing in December.
Rutgers’ 2026 Schedule: A Closer Look
Another Home-Heavy Opening Stretch
For the second straight year, Rutgers opens with a string of home games, giving them a chance to build early momentum. The season kicks off on a Thursday night against UMass, led by former Scarlet Knights defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. That storyline alone adds some spice to the opener.
Then, it’s off to Chestnut Hill for a Friday night showdown with Boston College in the Eagles’ annual Red Bandana Game on September 11th-an emotional and meaningful event that always brings a charged atmosphere.
Big Ten play starts early in 2026, with a marquee Week 3 matchup at home against USC. The Trojans, now fully integrated into the conference, bring star power and high expectations, making this one of the most anticipated games of the early season. Rutgers avoids the brutal back-to-back of USC and Indiana by sliding in a non-conference matchup against Howard in Week 4.
Then comes the real test: Indiana, the reigning national champions, roll into SHI Stadium to open October. It’s a big-time measuring stick game.
Rutgers had Indiana’s number earlier in the decade, winning three straight from 2021 to 2023, but this is a very different Hoosiers squad. If the Scarlet Knights want to make a statement, this is the week to do it.
Midseason Road Opportunities
After five straight games to open the year, Rutgers gets a well-timed bye on October 10th. Then it’s back on the road, starting with a crucial trip to Maryland on October 17th. If Rutgers wants to reach six wins, this one looms large.
A week later, they head to Chicago to take on Northwestern. The Wildcats are trending upward, but this is a game Rutgers has circled.
The last time these two met was the 2023 opener, when the Scarlet Knights dominated 24-7 in a rare Sunday game. A similar performance would go a long way.
Back Home for a Brutal Stretch
Halloween brings Michigan to Piscataway. The Wolverines, now under Kyle Whittingham, haven’t played Rutgers since 2023.
That year, Michigan handed the Scarlet Knights their first loss of the season in Ann Arbor, 31-7. Rutgers has had some close calls against Michigan in the past, including a halftime lead in 2022, but closing the deal has been the issue.
This game will test how far the program has come.
Then it’s off to Wisconsin to start November. The Badgers have historically been a tough matchup for Rutgers, and recent results haven’t been pretty-especially the 42-7 drubbing in Piscataway in 2024. But Wisconsin is coming off a 4-8 season, and the timing might finally be right for Rutgers to steal one in Madison.
Closing Stretch: High Stakes, Familiar Foes
The final three games of the season are loaded with storylines. First up: Nebraska at home.
The Cornhuskers have never lost to Rutgers, owning a 6-0 all-time record. In 2024, they handed the Scarlet Knights their first loss of the season, 14-7.
And who can forget the 2023 heartbreaker-falling 14-13 on Black Friday after Noah Vedral’s return was cut short due to injury? This one’s personal.
Next comes Penn State, now led by Matt Campbell. Rutgers nearly pulled off a stunner in 2025, falling just short in a 40-36 thriller to close the regular season.
That game showed Rutgers could go toe-to-toe with a Big Ten heavyweight. Now, they’ll try to finish the job.
And then, the finale: Michigan State at SHI Stadium. It’s a matchup that’s quietly become one of the more compelling in the conference.
Rutgers has won the last two meetings, including a dramatic 27-24 comeback in 2023 and a snowy 41-14 blowout in East Lansing to close the 2024 regular season. That one came after a gut-wrenching loss to Illinois, and the bounce-back effort said a lot about the team’s resilience.
This season finale could once again carry postseason implications for both programs. For Rutgers, finishing the year at home-with a chance to punch a ticket to a bowl game-might be exactly the setup they need.
Bottom Line: The 2026 schedule is a mix of opportunity and challenge. The early home stretch gives Rutgers a chance to start fast, while the midseason road trips are manageable.
The back half, with matchups against Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Penn State, and Michigan State, will determine just how far this team can go. But the pieces are there.
If the Scarlet Knights can stay healthy and find consistency, bowl eligibility isn’t just on the table-it’s within reach.