The Northwestern Wildcats have unveiled their football schedule for the 2026 season, setting the stage for what promises to be a challenging year. Coming off a surprising 7-6 record last season, which included several narrow defeats against ranked opponents, the Wildcats concluded the year with a victory over Central Michigan in the GameAboveSports Bowl held in Detroit. However, the upcoming schedule poses significant challenges.
Notably, Northwestern has its bye week early in the season, occurring in week two, and will face all three representatives from the Big Ten College Football Playoff in 2025. In college football, no victory can be taken for granted, but most power conference teams schedule a few games that are considered near certain wins. For Northwestern, this includes two relatively favorable matchups to kick off the year: a season opener against South Dakota State and a game against Ball State at the new Ryan Field.
While South Dakota State has a strong track record in the FCS, they are still perceived to be several levels below the Big Ten. Conversely, Ball State struggled last season, finishing among the weakest teams in the MAC, which itself is not as highly regarded as the Big Ten.
Two additional contests that could be within reach for the Wildcats are their home game against Colorado and a road showdown with Michigan State. Although Colorado had a disappointing season last year, their head coach, “Coach Prime,” has demonstrated an ability to attract significant talent via the transfer portal, potentially altering their competitive landscape. Michigan State, now under the leadership of former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, is expected to show improvement after his previous success at Northwestern before his departure amid controversy.
Northwestern also faces three games that are tough to predict: encounters with Penn State, Rutgers, and Minnesota. Last season, the Wildcats managed to defeat Penn State on the road, leading to the firing of head coach James Franklin. With a weakened roster due to transfers, Penn State might struggle to regain its form in the upcoming season. Rutgers, on the other hand, was hindered by defensive issues last year, but a complete overhaul of their defensive coaching staff this offseason could lead to improvements, making them a formidable opponent for Northwestern. Minnesota remains a wildcard, often finishing in the same competitive tier as the Wildcats.
Another pair of challenging games for Northwestern includes matchups against Iowa and Illinois. The Hawkeyes consistently rank among the top half of Big Ten teams, while Illinois has made strides in recent years. Fortunately for Northwestern, both games will take place at home, which could increase their chances of pulling off an upset. However, based on last season”s results, the Wildcats might still be viewed as underdogs in these contests.
While every game in college football carries uncertainty, Northwestern”s schedule is particularly daunting, as they must contend with all of their conference”s playoff representatives. Games against Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State could turn out to be less competitive than desired.
As the Wildcats prepare for the 2026 season, the challenges loom large, setting the stage for a critical year in their football program.
