Big Ten Weekend Kickoff Schedule – Week 1

The 2023 Big Ten Football season kicks off this weekend with a full slate of games including a pair of conference matchups. The road to Indianapolis and the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday, December 2 is set to begin. We’ll cover the entire season and you can listen on SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372).

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Thursday, August 31

Nebraska at Minnesota

8 pm ET – FOX, Big Ten Radio Channel 372

The Matt Rhule era starts at Nebraska with a road game against Minnesota. The Gophers will need to replace some offensive firepower at both running back and quarterback as PJ Fleck hopes to compete in the West Division. Rhule’s job is to reinvigorate a Nebraska program that stumbled during the disappointing Scott Frost years.

Friday, September 1

Central Michigan at Michigan State

7 pm ET – FS1, Big Ten Radio Channel 372

The Spartans had a 5-7 record last season and didn’t qualify for a bowl game. Mel Tucker needs more contributions on both side of the ball to have a better 2023 campaign. The Chippewas went 4-8 last year.

Saturday, September 2

Utah State at Iowa

Noon ET – FS1

All eyes will be on Iowa’s offense with new quarterback Michigan transfer Cade McNamara. Defense will still be an Iowa staple, which could spell bad news for the Aggies after averaging just 22.2 points per game a year ago.

East Carolina at Michigan

Noon ET – Peacock, Big Ten Radio Channel 372

The Wolverines begin their quest for a third straight Big Ten title at home against East Carolina. The Pirates won the Birmingham Bowl to end their 8-5 season last year but not surprisingly are huge underdogs at Michigan.

Fresno State at Purdue

Noon ET – BTN

New head coach Ryan Walters brings his defensive-minded approach to Purdue and a chance to show the Boilermaker faithful some promise at home against Fresno State. The Bulldogs are a good football team and ended up 10-4 last year winning the LA Bowl and feature a solid defense of their own.

Ohio State at Indiana

3:30 pm ET – CBS

Ryan Day has named Kyle McCord Ohio State’s starting quarterback, which isn’t a surprise even though Devin Brown is waiting in the wings. Indiana has a huge undertaking ahead to get things headed in a better direction this season, a task that won’t be easy with an opening match-up against the Buckeyes.

Towson at Maryland

3:30 pm ET – BTN, Big Ten Radio Channel 372

The Terps should put up some gaudy offensive numbers in their home opener against Towson.

Buffalo at Wisconsin

3:30 pm ET – FS1

The arrival of Luke Fickell at Wisconsin has put the Badgers on the radar of everyone around the conference. There will be a shift in Wisconsin’s offensive approach and Air Raid style football will be on display led by SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai and OC Phil Longo.

Toledo at Illinois

7:30 pm ET – BTN, Big Ten Radio Channel 372

Will the Fighting Illini continue the impressive trajectory in 2023 under head coach Brett Bielema? Illinois fans hope for more than the eight wins a year ago. Toledo can put some points on the board as the Rockets averaged 31.3 points per game last season.

West Virginia at Penn State

7:30 pm ET – NBC

Happy Valley will be rocking on a Saturday night prime time game that kicks off new television partner NBC’s coverage. Penn State turns to herald QB Drew Allar to lead an offense that scored 35.8 points per game (20^thin the nation) in 2022. West Virginia missed a bowl last year after going 5-7.

Sunday, September 3

Northwestern at Rutgers

Noon – CBS, Big Ten Radio Channel 372

The Wildcats look to pick up the pieces after a controversial off season that saw long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald let go in the aftermath of the university’s hazing scandal. David Braun takes over in Evanston looking to find a way to win a game in North America, something Northwestern failed to do after beating Nebraska in Ireland to start the season. Rutgers hopes new full-time QB Gavin Wimsatt with OC Kirk Ciarrocca are ingredients for a stronger offensive attack this season.