Big Ten rankings · National FBS rankings · All teams
| Date | H/A | Opponent | Tier:Conf | Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/3 | N | Ball State (6-6) | [G5:MAC] | L | 20-27 | AT INDIANAPOLIS |
| 9/10 | H | Virginia (8-4) | [P4:ACC] | L | 31-34 | |
| 9/17 | H | SC State (7-4) | [FCS:MEAC] | W | 38-21 | |
| 9/24 | A | North Texas (5-7) | [G5:Sun Belt] | L | 21-24 | |
| 10/1 | H | Penn State (9-3) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 10-16 | |
| 10/8 | H | Illinois (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 20-41 | |
| 10/15 | A | Wisconsin (11-2) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 7-59 | |
| 10/22 | A | Iowa (7-5) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 24-45 | |
| 10/29 | H | Northwestern (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 38-59 | |
| 11/5 | A | Ohio State (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 20-34 | |
| 11/19 | A | Michigan St (10-3) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 3-55 | |
| 11/26 | H | Purdue (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 25-33 |