Bruins Play All 17 Other Big Ten Football Teams in Rose Bowl At Least Once in Expanded League’s First 5-Year Cycle

The UCLA Bruins are heading towards their first year in the Big Ten in 2024, moving to a new league but staying at home in the Rose Bowl.

On Thursday the Big Ten Conference gave the Bruins a look ahead over the first five-year game cycle, publishing home and away schedules in the nine-game conference slate for UCLA’s first five seasons in the  league.

During the first five-year cycle, all 17 other Big Ten schools will play UCLA in Rose Bowl Stadium at least once. 

The Bruins will face crosstown rival USC each season and will also continue to battle against Oregon and/or Washington each year.

UCLA has a series history in football with each of the 17 other Big Ten schools except for Indiana and Rutgers. 

The traditional Big Ten opponent the Bruins most recently played on the gridiron was Nebraska at the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl. The Cornhuskers are the opponent the Bruins have played most of the traditional Big Ten teams (13 times).

In the 2024 campaign, UCLA will host five league opponents in the Rose Bowl: Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and USC. The Bruins will be squaring off with Indiana for the first time ever. UCLA will also welcome long-time foes Oregon and USC to Pasadena next season. 

UCLA’s league road contests include games at Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers and Washington. The Bruins most recently played at Nebraska in the 2013 season and at Penn State in 1967. The trip to Rutgers will mark the first-ever meeting between the schools.

The Football Championship Game features the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship. 

According to the Big Ten Conference announcement Thursday, 2024 will be the first season with 18 teams – with the additions of UCLA, University of Oregon, USC and the University of Washington – and no divisional format.

In 2024, the Bruins will be playing against Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers, Washington, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, and USC. They will also be playing at Hawai’i on Aug. 31, Fresno State on Sept. 14, and at LSU on Sept. 21.

In 2025, the Bruins will be playing against Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, USC, Maryland, Nebraska, Penn State, and Washington. They will also be playing against Georgia on Aug.30, at UNLV on Sept. 6, and New Mexico on Sept. 13.

In 2026, the Bruins will be playing against Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, USC and Wisconsin. They will also be playing at Georgia on Sept. 5, San Diego State on Sept. 12, and Nevada on Sept. 19.

In 2027, the Bruins will be playing against Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, USC and Wisconsin. They will also be playing against Michigan, Northwestern and Oregon. They will also play Rutgers and UC Davis on Aug. 28 and Auburn on Sept. 4.

Finally in 2028 they will play against Nebraska, Penn State Rutgers and Washington. They will also play Indiana Maryland Minnesota Ohio State and USC, and at Auburn on Sept. 2 and Hawaii on Sept. 9.

Here is the full list:

2024 UCLA FOOTBALL OPPONENTS
at Nebraska
at Penn State
at Rutgers
at Washington
Indiana
Iowa
Minnesota
Oregon
USC
Previously announced (date): at Hawai’i (Aug. 31), Fresno State (Sept. 14) and at LSU (Sept. 21)

2025 UCLA FOOTBALL OPPONENTS
at Indiana
at Michigan State
at Northwestern
at Ohio State
at USC
Maryland
Nebraska
Penn State
Washington
Previously announced (date): Georgia (Aug. 30), at UNLV (Sept. 6) and New Mexico (Sept. 13)

2026 UCLA FOOTBALL OPPONENTS
at Maryland
at Michigan
at Minnesota
at Oregon
Illinois
Michigan State
Purdue
USC
Wisconsin
Previously announced (date): at Georgia (Sept. 5), San Diego State (Sept. 12) and Nevada (Sept. 19)

2027 UCLA FOOTBALL OPPONENTS
at Illinois
at Iowa
at Purdue
at USC
at Wisconsin
Michigan
Northwestern
Oregon
Rutgers
Previously announced (date): UC Davis (Aug. 28), Auburn (Sept. 4) and at Hawai’i (Sept. 18)

2028 UCLA FOOTBALL OPPONENTS
at Nebraska
at Penn State
at Rutgers
at Washington
Indiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Ohio State
USC
Previously announced (date): at Auburn (Sept. 2) and Hawai’i (Sept. 9)

Schedules are subject to change

UCLA FOOTBALL VS. THE BIG TEN
Illinois (series tied 6-6) last played UCLA in 2011
Indiana will be meeting UCLA for the first time
Iowa (UCLA leads series 7-2) last played UCLA in the 1986 Rose Bowl Game
Maryland (series tied 1-1) last played UCLA in 1955
Michigan (UCLA trails series 3-8) last played UCLA in 2000
Michigan State (series tied 3-3) last played UCLA in 1974
Minnesota (UCLA trails series 1-2) last played UCLA in 1978
Nebraska (UCLA trails series 6-7) last played UCLA in 2015
Northwestern (series tied 3-3) last played UCLA in 2005
Ohio State (series tied 4-4-1) last played UCLA in 2001
Oregon (UCLA leads series 40-32) last played UCLA in 2022
Penn State (UCLA leads series 4-2) last played UCLA in 1968
Purdue (UCLA leads series 3-0-2) last played UCLA in 1980
Rutgers will be meeting UCLA for the first time
USC (UCLA trails series 33-50-7) last played UCLA in 2022
Washington (UCLA leads series 42-32-2) last played UCLA in 2022
Wisconsin (UCLA leads series 7-4) last played UCLA in 2000

UCLA has won its most recent meeting with the following schools: Iowa (1985), Michigan (2000), Michigan State (1974), Minnesota (1978), Northwestern (2005), Ohio State (2001), Purdue (1980), Washington (2022) and Wisconsin (2000).