A difficult non-conference start. A Homecoming loss to Indiana. And just one win through five games. The 2026 Rutgers Football Schedule has been challenging early and now turns toward a demanding stretch that includes road trips to Maryland and Northwestern, a home date with Michigan, and late tests against Nebraska and Penn State. Rutgers Scarlet Knights football sits at 1-4 and faces a critical second half of the Big Ten season. Here is the complete 2026 Rutgers Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Rutgers Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | vs UMass MinutemenSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | 6:00 PM ETBTN | Loss 37-21 | |
| Friday | at Boston College EaglesAlumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA | 7:30 PM ETESPN2 | Loss 28-21 | |
| Saturday | vs USC TrojansSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | 3:30 PM ETCBS/Paramount+ | Loss 42-35 | |
| Friday | vs Howard BisonSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | 7:00 PM ETBTN | Win 58-7 | |
| Saturday | vs Indiana HoosiersSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | 8:00 PM ETBTN | Loss 47-15 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Maryland TerrapinsSECU Stadium, College Park, MD | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Northwestern WildcatsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Michigan WolverinesSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Wisconsin BadgersCamp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Nebraska CornhuskersSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Penn State Nittany LionsBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Michigan State SpartansSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Difficult Early Stretch and One Win
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Schedule 2026 opened with four losses and one victory through five games.
- UMass at home (Sept 3)
- Boston College on the road (Sept 11)
- USC at home (Sept 19)
- Howard at home (Sept 25)
- Indiana at home for Homecoming (Oct 3)
Bye Week
A week off arrives after the Homecoming result.
- Bye week (Oct 10)
Back-to-Back Road Games
Mid-to-late October brings consecutive road tests.
- Maryland on the road (Oct 17)
- Northwestern on the road (Oct 24)
Michigan at Home and a Road Trip to Wisconsin
Late October and early November mix a major home opportunity with a tough road game.
- Michigan at home (Oct 31)
- Wisconsin on the road (Nov 7)
Closing Stretch
November finishes with a home date, a road trip, and a final home game.
- Nebraska at home (Nov 14)
- Penn State on the road (Nov 21)
- Michigan State at home (Nov 28)
Rutgers Football Home Games 2026
Rutgers has seven home games at SHI Stadium in 2026:
- UMass
- USC
- Howard
- Indiana (Homecoming)
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Michigan State
The dates against USC, Michigan and Nebraska stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Rutgers Football Schedule features a challenging early stretch, a difficult mid-season slate, and key late home tests. How the Scarlet Knights handle the road trips to Maryland and Northwestern, the home date with Michigan, and the closing games against Nebraska and Penn State will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Rutgers play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Rutgers Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against UMass on Thursday, September 3, at SHI Stadium.
When is Rutgers vs Michigan 2026?
Rutgers vs Michigan 2026 is set for Saturday, October 31, at home at SHI Stadium in Piscataway.
How many home games does Rutgers play in 2026?
Rutgers has seven Rutgers football home games in 2026 at SHI Stadium: UMass, USC, Howard, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Michigan State.
What is Rutgers’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The upcoming run of Maryland, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Penn State ranks as the toughest remaining stretch on the Rutgers Big Ten schedule 2026.
