2026 Northwestern Schedule
Every game this season, with each opponent’s current rank.
Updated Oct 22, 2026, 4:33 AM ET
Games
Opp Rk is the opponent’s current place in our power rankings.
Opp RkWeaker opponentStronger opponent
Results | ||||
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Result | Opp Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5Sep 5 |  South Dakota StateSDST | W 34–18 | – |
| 2 | Bye week | |||
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19Sep 19 |  ColoradoCOLO | W 41–7 | 93 |
| 4 | Fri, Sep 25Sep 25 |  IndianaIU | L 23–29 | 2 |
| 5 | Fri, Oct 2Oct 2 |  Penn StatePSU | W 34–13 | 40 |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10Oct 10 |  Ball StateBALL | W 45–14 | 133 |
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17Oct 17 |  Michigan StateMSU | W 24–21 | 88 |
Upcoming | ||||
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time | Opp Rk |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 24Oct 24 |  RutgersRUTG | 12:00 PM | 77 |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31Oct 31 |  OregonORE | TBD | 9 |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7Nov 7 |  IowaIOWA | TBD | 13 |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14Nov 14 |  Ohio StateOSU | TBD | 1 |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21Nov 21 |  MinnesotaMINN | TBD | 47 |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28Nov 28 |  IllinoisILL | TBD | 46 |