2026 College Football Big Ten Spring Game Schedule for All 18 Teams

The Big Ten enters its third season as an 18-team super-conference this fall. Every program is now beginning the critical process of roster evaluation through spring practices.

National championship expectations remain the standard for the league's top tier. Programs like Ohio State, Oregon, and defending champion Indiana are using these weeks to solidify depth charts.

The following schedule details when every Big Ten team will take the field for its annual spring game. Nebraska and USC are among the earliest to finish their sessions, while UCLA and Washington will push into early May.

2026 college football Big Ten spring game schedule

Illinois Fighting Illini

Spring practice start: March 23
Spring game date: TBD

The Illini are implementing an aggressive 3-3-5 defensive system under new coordinator Bobby Hauck, who joined Bret Bielema's staff in February 2026.

Indiana Hoosiers

Spring practice start: March 26
Spring game date: April 23

The reigning national champions must replace several starters but added TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover. Curt Cignetti looks to prove that last year’s historic run was the start of a sustained era of dominance.

Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iowa Hawkeyes

Spring practice start: March 23
Spring game date: April 25

Kirk Ferentz enters another spring looking for offensive consistency with only six returning starters. The Hawkeyes traditionally use this time to develop their next wave of developmental prospects on both lines.

Maryland Terrapins

Spring practice start: March 24
Spring game date: April 25

Maryland is focusing on the development of sophomore Malik Washington, who leads the offense after a record-setting freshman campaign. Mike Locksley’s staff added veteran depth in March with transfers Callum Wither, Max Lawrence, and Devin Kargman to support the quarterback room.

Michigan Wolverines

Spring practice start: March 17
Spring game date: April 18

New head coach Kyle Whittingham inherits a roster led by returning starter Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines are working to integrate a new offensive system while maintaining their physical defensive identity.

Michigan State Spartans

Spring practice start: March 17
Spring game date: April 18

Pat Fitzgerald makes his return to the Big Ten sidelines as the leader of the Spartans. The program is prioritizing culture building and defensive fundamentals during their first spring under the new staff.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Spring practice start: March 24
Spring game date: April 25

P.J. Fleck is focused on improving the Gophers' passing attack to complement a traditionally strong ground game. Minnesota enters the spring in the middle of the Big Ten pack with several veteran leaders to replace.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Spring practice start: Feb. 21
Spring game date: March 28

Anthony Colandrea, the senior transfer from UNLV, is the likely starter over sophomore TJ Lateef and Virginia transfer Daniel Kaelin to lead Matt Rhule's revamped offense.

Northwestern Wildcats

Spring practice start: TBD
Spring game date: TBD

The Wildcats are navigating a transition period as they prepare for the opening of the new Ryan Field later this fall. Because of facility construction and the shift to the temporary lakeside Martin Stadium, Northwestern is one of the few programs that has not yet confirmed public spring game details.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Spring practice start: March 10
Spring game date: April 18

The Buckeyes are rebuilding an elite defense while handing the offense to quarterback Julian Sayin. Expect wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to be the focal point of the offense during the televised scrimmage at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks

Spring practice start: March 12
Spring game date: April 25

Dylan Raiola joined Oregon this winter via the transfer portal from Nebraska. He will back up Dante Moore in a room that Dan Lanning has turned into one of the deepest in the country.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Spring practice start: March 24
Spring game date: April 25

Matt Campbell begins his first spring in Happy Valley with a roster heavily supplemented by Iowa State transfers. Quarterback Rocco Becht is the primary signal-caller as he works back from a December shoulder injury and learns a new system.

Purdue Boilermakers

Spring practice start: March 3
Spring game date: April 11

Ryan Walters is looking for an improved defensive performance after a difficult 2025 campaign. The Boilermakers are using an early spring schedule to allow for a longer recovery window before summer conditioning.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Spring practice start: March 27
Spring game date: No spring game

Greg Schiano continues to emphasize physical line play and special teams discipline. The Scarlet Knights are aiming to solidify their bowl-eligibility floor by establishing reliable depth in the secondary following an overhaul of the defensive coaching staff.

UCLA Bruins

Spring practice start: April 2
Spring game date: May 2

New head coach Bob Chesney has the latest spring game in the conference, allowing for more installation time. The Bruins are working to replace several key starters on a defense that was a strength last season.

USC Trojans

Spring practice start: March 3
Spring game date: April 4

Jayden Maiava returns at quarterback, but the Trojans must find new primary targets in the passing game. Gary Patterson’s influence on the defense will be a major storyline throughout the month of March.

Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches in the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Washington Huskies

Spring practice start: March 31
Spring game date: May 1

Jed Fisch is tasked with replacing high-level offensive production at running back and receiver. Quarterback Demond Williams leads an offense that hopes to remain among the most efficient in the country.

Wisconsin Badgers

Spring practice start: March 19
Spring game date: April 30

Luke Fickell is pushing for more explosive plays from the "Air Raid" offense with returning starter Carter Smith. Smith leads the Badgers into the spring with a firm grasp on the starting role after a standout 2025 season.

The Big Ten will hold its 2026 Football Media Days from July 28 to 30 at the Hilton Chicago.