Big Ten football schedule: The best game every week of 2023 season
The Big Ten football schedule is lined up with major matchups this fall. Across the 13 weeks of games, there are a number of matchups likely to play a bigger role in the final outcome of the B1G race.
While most of the games on the following list include conference matchups, a handful of key nonconference showings also set the tone for what should be a fun and exciting year of football. Without further ado, here is the list of the best games in the B1G every week of the season.
Week 1 — Nebraska at Minnesota
What could be better than the first game of the 2023 B1G season? Matt Rhule makes his Nebraska head coaching debut on the road against the coach B1G West fanbases love to hate — Minnesota’s PJ Fleck.
Week 2 — Iowa at Iowa State
Iowa heads to Ames this season for the Cy-Hawk matchup after a disappointing loss in Iowa City a season ago. It should be a nice early road test for the Hawkeyes and new QB Cade McNamara.
Week 3 — Washington at Michigan State
Washington should be a heavy favorite as the Huskies make the trip to East Lansing. However, the Spartans will try to dial up a classic revenge game after Michael Penix Jr. led a rout over Michigan State a season ago.
Week 4 — Ohio State at Notre Dame
Ohio State should be 3-0 heading into a road trip against Notre Dame. This should be the first major road test for a Buckeye program that will play 6 road games this fall.
Week 5 — Michigan at Nebraska
Michigan does not leave the Big House until Week 5 when the program travels to Lincoln. In the end, this game likely means more for Nebraska as a measuring stick to see how the Huskers stack up with the reigning league champs.
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Week 6 — Purdue at Iowa
Ryan Walters does not have an easy schedule for his first season at Purdue. The Boilermakers get tough home games to begin the conference slate against Wisconsin and Illinois before a trip to Kinnick. This will also be the first division game for the Hawkeyes this season after conference games against Penn State and Michigan State.
Week 7 — Iowa at Wisconsin
The Heartland Trophy is traditionally a great B1G West matchup, and this year’s game could have division-leading implications this time around. It is also the start of a tough 3-game stretch for the Badgers that includes Iowa, at Illinois and home vs. Ohio State. There’s a good chance that stretch determines Wisconsin’s ceiling this fall.
Week 8 — Penn State at Ohio State
Ohio State and Penn State won’t play annually in the new-look B1G, but they have produced some memorable matchups over the years. The Buckeyes have won 6 straight against Penn State, but it took a late rally for Ryan Day’s squad a season ago. This fall, the matchup should have major B1G East ramifications.
Week 9 — Ohio State at Wisconsin
Ohio State doesn’t get any chance to catch its breath after playing Penn State. Luke Fickell is not your typical first-year head coach in the league, and the Badgers will know by Week 9 if they’re legitimate contenders in the West. Either way, Fickell will be shooting for a marquee win — at home — to build on this fall.
Week 10 — Illinois at Minnesota
The B1G West is soon to be a thing of the past, but fans get another year of what could be a wild division this fall. Illinois and Minnesota have the pieces to be near the top of the West, and this matchup could effectively become an elimination game in the division race.
Week 11 — Michigan at Penn State
With the division races effectively taking shape into November, the Wolverines will face their toughest game to date with a road trip to Penn State. Drew Allar will get a monster test from the Michigan defense, and Manny Diaz will need to have his defensive front primed for the offensive firepower of the Wolverines.
Week 12 — Michigan at Maryland
Maryland is just 1-9 against the B1G East trio of Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State under Mike Locksley, and the lone win came over the Nittany Lions in 2020. However, Taulia Tagovailoa had the team close last season in matchups against Michigan and Ohio State. The Wolverines will be in the middle of their gauntlet stretch and could provide the chance for the Terrapins to finally break through against the division’s current top dog.
Week 13 — Ohio State at Michigan
The Game needs no introduction, and it really needs no explanation. The ultimate rivalry that traditionally determines one side of the B1G Championship Game matchup, Ohio State and Michigan should once again be playing for a spot in Indy this fall. Do not be surprised if either team has a loss entering the matchup in 2023, but the stakes are unlikely to change in the season finale.
