The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday that the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors has approved plans for the 2020 football season, including a 10-game Conference only schedule, beginning as early as the weekend of Sept. 5.
Nebraska's 10-game schedule will consist of games against each of the other six schools in the Big Ten West Division, as well as four cross-division games against schools in the East Division. The schedule is comprised of games against the nine previously scheduled Big Ten Conference opponents, and one additional cross-division game.
The Huskers will open the 2020 season on the road at Rutgers on Sept. 5, before its home opener against West Division foe Illinois on Sept. 12.
Nebraska will also play host to Wisconsin (Sept. 19), Minnesota (Oct. 3), Penn State (Oct. 31) and Michigan State (Nov. 21) at Memorial Stadium this fall. In addition to the season opener at Rutgers, the Huskers' road trips include games at Iowa (Sept. 26), Ohio State (Oct. 10), Northwestern (Oct. 24) and Purdue (Nov. 14).
The Big Ten based its 2020 football schedule on the following parameters:
- The plan is for Big Ten institutions to play a 10-game Conference-only schedule including the nine current opponents and one additional cross-division game
- The schedule starts as early as the weekend of Sept. 5 with final games slated for Nov. 21 to align with academic calendars
- The 10 games would be played over at least 12 weeks with each team having two open dates
- The schedule is structured to maximize flexibility:
- Games can be collapsed into bye weeks
- Uniform bye week on Nov. 28
- Cross-division games are currently scheduled for all schools in Week 1 (Sept. 5) and Week 12 (Nov. 21)
- Schedule constructed in a way that allows season to start as early as the weekend of Sept. 5, but also provides the ability to move the start of the season back to Sept. 12, 19 or 26 through strategic sequencing that allows games to be moved to a latter part of the schedule
- Big Ten Football Championship Game remains scheduled for Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, though it could be moved as late as Dec. 19
- Teams can begin preseason practices on Friday, Aug. 7
The University of Nebraska will work with local government and health officials as it finalizes plans for game days at Memorial Stadium this fall. The Athletic Department will publicly communicate ticketing plans and other game-day logistical details in the near future.
2020 Nebraska Football Schedule
Sept. 5 at Rutgers
Sept. 12 Illinois
Sept. 19 Wisconsin
Sept. 26 at Iowa
Oct. 3 Minnesota
Oct. 10 at Ohio State
Oct. 17 OFF
Oct. 24 at Northwestern
Oct. 31 Penn State
Nov. 7 OFF
Nov. 14 at Purdue
Nov. 21 Michigan State
Joint Statement from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green and Athletic Director Bill Moos
"We welcome these important steps forward for fall football from the Big Ten. There has been a tremendous amount of consultation and hard work to get to this point. It was a team effort with valuable input from the Big Ten Conference staff, University chancellors and presidents, head coaches and athletic directors to develop a football schedule that prioritizes divisional games and provides some needed flexibility.
"The top priority remains to conduct a football season in the safest and healthiest manner possible for everyone involved. There are still many steps ahead before we can take the field in September, beginning with opening preseason camp later this week. But there is no question this is an exciting day at Nebraska. Our players and coaching staff now have a schedule in front of them, and Husker fans can see how the 2020 season will unfold.
"Our next task is finalizing many of the details and protocols for football game days at Memorial Stadium in 2020. We will be announcing those details very soon after consultation with state and local officials.
"We want to especially thank Dr. Chris Kratochvil of UNMC for his work leading the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases. He has been immensely helpful in helping to guide the conference forward.
"Nebraska is getting closer to seeing our beloved Huskers take the field. We, and all of Husker Nation, very much look forward to our first away game on September 5 at Rutgers and our first home game the following week against Illinois."