The cloudy future of Big Ten football is beginning to clear up today as the conference prepares to release its full scheduling model later this afternoon.
There have been a few leaks throughout the day, including Wisconsin traveling to both Michigan and USC during the 2024 season. It goes without saying that when the Big Ten changes to its new model after this season, Wisconsin’s road to Indianapolis will not be getting any easier.
One significant piece of scheduling news is which protected games each program will play every season, with the remaining games being played on a more bi-annual basis.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg was the first to that news today, as he reported Wisconsin’s protected rivalry games will be against Iowa and Minnesota.
B1G's confirmed annual protected games: Illinois-Northwestern, Illinois-Purdue, Indiana-Purdue, Iowa-Minnesota, Iowa-Nebraska, Iowa-Wisconsin, Maryland-Rutgers, Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Ohio State, Minnesota Wisconsin, UCLA-USC.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) June 8, 2023
For those keeping track at home, that likely means the historic Freedom Trophy Game against Nebraska will no longer be played every season.
Stay tuned for more news as the Big Ten releases its future scheduling model and specific 2024 matchups.