The Big Ten announced its 2024 and 2025 conference football schedules on Thursday. With West Coast additions UCLA and USC joining, the scheduling format has changed.
The conference is calling it the Flex Protect Plus model, which features a combination of permanent and rotational opponents. There will be no divisions beginning in 2024, but each school will still play nine conference games.
According to the Big Ten, the rotational schedule is designed to "create access for programs into an expanded College Football Playoff"; balance out travel with the two California schools joining; "maximize television inventory"; and preserve the Big Ten's history.
BENDER: USC, UCLA must earn its rivalries with Ohio State, Michigan
Part of the history that's staying is Michigan vs. Ohio State in The Game. Here's what you need to know about the Wolverines' conference schedule in the coming years:
Michigan football schedule 2024
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- Maryland
- Michigan State
- Minnesota
- UCLA
- Wisconsin
Michigan will play both West Coast teams in their first season in the conference. The Wolverines will also play their two biggest rivals, with Michigan State coming to the Big House.
MORE: A first look at Ohio State's 2024 & 2025 Big Ten opponents
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- Illinois
- Ohio State
- Rutgers
- USC
The Wolverines will make two big road trips in 2024, to Los Angeles to face the Trojans, and to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes.
Michigan football schedule 2025
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- Northwestern
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- Purdue
Michigan will not play USC or UCLA in 2025, but they will face Michigan State and Ohio State again, with the venues flipped from 2024. That means the Buckeyes will come to Michigan Stadium.
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- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Michigan State
- Nebraska
With the Ohio State and Michigan State games switching locales. the Wolverines will travel to Spartan Stadium to visit their "little brother" in 2025.
What is a two-play opponent?
So-called "two-play" opponents in the Big Ten football schedule are the teams that schools will play in a home-and-home in consecutive years. The opponents will rotate every two years.
The Wolverines have one two-play opponent, which in 2024 and 2025 will be Maryland.
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The Big Ten has designated 11 matchups as protected to maintain certain historical and geographical rivalries and preserve select traditional trophy games. Michigan has two "protected" opponents, Michigan State and Ohio State, that it will be guaranteed to play annually beyond the 2025 season.