The 2026 Washington Huskies football schedule is officially out, and with it comes a whole new slate of Big Ten battles - some familiar, some fresh, and a few with deep historical roots. The Huskies are stepping into their second season in the Big Ten, and this schedule offers a fascinating blend of old rivalries, long-lost matchups, and high-stakes showdowns. Let’s break it all down, game by game, with a special focus on their Big Ten opponents.
Week 4: Sept. 26 - Minnesota (Home)
This one’s a deep cut. Washington and Minnesota haven’t squared off since 1977, when the Golden Gophers edged out a two-point win.
But the history runs deeper than most fans might realize - 17 total meetings, including one of the most iconic in Husky lore: the 1961 Rose Bowl. That win remains Washington’s only victory over a No. 1-ranked opponent.
It’s been nearly 50 years, but the Gophers and Huskies are about to write a new chapter in what’s been a quietly intriguing series.
Week 5: Oct. 3 - at USC
This one needs no introduction.
Washington and USC have been clashing since the days of the Pac-8, and the rivalry now carries over into Big Ten territory. Historically, the Trojans have had the upper hand, especially in the mid-20th century and early 2000s.
But lately, it’s been the Huskies’ turn - they’ve won six of the last nine meetings, including the last three. What makes this matchup unique is the setting: for the first time ever, Washington heads to the Coliseum as a Big Ten opponent.
That alone adds a new layer of intensity to an already storied rivalry.
Week 6: Oct. 10 - Iowa (Home)
It’s been 63 years since Iowa last visited Seattle, and the Hawkeyes left with a 17-7 win back in 1963. Iowa leads the all-time series 4-3, but Washington fans will remember two Rose Bowl victories over the Hawkeyes - in 1982 and 1991 - that loom large in program history.
Hosting Iowa in Husky Stadium for the first time in over six decades brings a nostalgic feel, but don’t expect a throwback game on the field. This one could be a physical, grind-it-out kind of battle.
Week 7: Oct. 17 - at Purdue
Washington heads to West Lafayette for the first time since 1990, when they knocked off the Boilermakers 20-14.
But the more memorable meeting came a decade later in the 2001 Rose Bowl, when Marques Tuiasosopo led the Huskies past Drew Brees and company in a 34-24 win. Washington owns a commanding 7-2-1 record in the series, and they’ll face a Purdue program now led by Barry Odom - brother of current UW linebackers coach Brian Odom.
That family connection adds a fun subplot to a matchup where the Huskies have historically had the upper hand.
Week 8: Oct. 24 - BYE
A well-timed breather before a tough road stretch.
Week 9: Oct. 31 - at Nebraska
Washington makes its first Big Ten trip to Lincoln, but this isn’t the first time they’ve ventured into Cornhusker country.
One of the most celebrated non-conference wins in UW history came in Lincoln, when the No. 4 Huskies beat No.
9 Nebraska 36-21 in a prime-time showdown that felt like a heavyweight title fight. Don James outdueled Tom Osborne that night, and it’s a game still etched in Husky lore.
Nebraska leads the all-time series 5-4-1, and the last time Washington played there - 15 years ago - it was a wild 51-38 loss. Expect a hostile environment and plenty of Big Ten grit in this one.
Week 10: Nov. 7 - Penn State (Home)
It’s been 105 years since Penn State last made the trip to Seattle - and they won that 1921 game 21-7. In fact, the Nittany Lions have never lost to Washington, with their most recent win coming two seasons ago in a dominant 35-6 showing in Happy Valley.
But there’s a new face on the Penn State sideline: former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, who had been linked to Washington’s head coaching searches in the past. That storyline adds a little extra intrigue to a matchup where the Huskies will be looking to flip the script on a historically one-sided series.
Week 11: Nov. 14 - at Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald is back on the sidelines, now leading Michigan State after the Spartans parted ways with former UW OC and Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith.
Smith’s two-year stint in East Lansing ended with a 4-15 record, and now Fitzgerald is tasked with turning things around. Washington, meanwhile, has had Michigan State’s number - they’re 4-1 all-time and 2-0 in Big Ten play against the Spartans.
This game could be a tone-setter for both programs as they look to establish footing in a competitive Big Ten landscape.
Week 12: Nov. 21 - Indiana (Home)
For the third straight year, Washington will host the reigning national champion in Seattle. First it was Michigan, then Ohio State, and now Indiana - a program that’s come a long way since its last visit to Husky Stadium in 2003, when Washington cruised to a 38-13 win.
Before that, the Hoosiers got the better of the Dawgs in 1976 and 1978, both times under head coach Lee Corso. Yes, that Lee Corso.
This time around, the stakes are much higher, and the Huskies will be looking to knock off another title holder on their home turf.
Week 13: Nov. 28 - at Oregon
No need to over-explain this one.
The Apple Cup may be moving around the calendar, but the rivalry with Oregon remains the emotional centerpiece of Washington’s season. Whether it’s the 70-point explosion in 2016 or the 2022 thriller where Michael Penix outdueled Bo Nix, this game always delivers.
The Huskies head south looking to make another statement - and potentially cap off their regular season with a win that could shape the Big Ten title race.
Week 14: Dec. 5 - Big Ten Championship Game (Indianapolis)
Circle it. If the Huskies navigate this gauntlet, they could be heading to Indianapolis with a shot at a Big Ten title - and maybe more.
But with a schedule this deep, nothing’s guaranteed. Every week will be a battle, and every win will have to be earned.
Final Thoughts
Washington’s 2026 schedule is a perfect storm of tradition, transition, and opportunity.
From rekindled Rose Bowl rivalries to brand-new Big Ten road trips, this slate offers a little bit of everything. And for a program looking to solidify its place in the Big Ten hierarchy, the path is clear - and anything but easy.