The Big Ten’s football scheduling for 2026 has given USC and UCLA a bit of a break.
According to the schedule released on Tuesday, the teams won’t have back-to-back away games. Specifically, USC will enjoy a break between playing Penn State on October 10 and Wisconsin on October 24. Similarly, UCLA has a bye between their game at Maryland on September 26 and their road trip to Oregon State on October 10.
USC also has a bye before facing Indiana, the reigning national champion, on November 14. Interestingly, the team has a second bye, as their opponent for a game on August 29 is not yet determined, following the cancellation of their long-standing match against Notre Dame—at least for now.
This season, some key games for USC at the Coliseum include matchups against Oregon State on September 26 and Ohio State on October 31. Their nonconference games feature a home match against Fresno State on September 5 and another against Louisiana State on September 12.
Meanwhile, UCLA will relish a home-heavy schedule in its first year under coach Bob Chesney—albeit not at their traditional Rose Bowl, as they’re transitioning to SoFi Stadium. However, there’s an ongoing dispute with the Rose Bowl operator and Pasadena over a potential breach of contract that could influence this shift.
UCLA’s season kicks off in California on September 5, and they will have seven home games, including a game against San Diego State on September 12 and a unique nonconference matchup with Nevada on Halloween. Interestingly, players might appreciate that they only leave the Pacific time zone once during their first eight games, with only the Maryland trip breaking that pattern.
Chesney’s Bruins will also head to Oregon State on October 10, a familiar venue for him—it’s where he led James Madison in their College Football Playoff opener against the Ducks.
UCLA faces its toughest stretch towards the end of the regular season, with a game against the University of Michigan on November 21, followed by a crosstown rivalry match against USC on November 28.
In a related note, the Big Ten championship is slated for December 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
University of Southern California
August 29 – TBA
September 5 – Fresno State
September 12 – Louisiana
September 19 – At Rutgers
September 26 – Oregon
October 3 – Washington
October 10 – At Penn State University
October 17 – Bye
October 24 – At Wisconsin
October 31 – Ohio State
November 7 – Bye
November 14 – At Indiana
November 21 – Maryland
November 28 – At UCLA
University of California Los Angeles
September 5 – in California
September 12 – San Diego State
September 19 – Purdue
September 26 – At Maryland
October 3 – Bye
October 10 – At Oregon
October 17 – Wisconsin
October 24 – Michigan State
October 31 – Nevada
November 7 – At Minnesota
November 14 – Illinois
November 21 – At Michigan
November 28 – University of Southern California
