Big Ten rankings · National FBS rankings · All teams
| Date | H/A | Opponent | Tier:Conf | Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/29 | H | Howard (4-8) | [FCS:MEAC] | W | 44-7 | |
| 9/7 | H | Akron (4-8) | [G5:MAC] | W | 49-17 | |
| 9/21 | A | Virginia Tech (6-6) | [P4:ACC] | W | 26-23 | |
| 9/27 | H | Washington (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | W | 21-18 | |
| 10/5 | A | Nebraska (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 7-14 | |
| 10/12 | H | Wisconsin (5-7) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 7-42 | |
| 10/19 | H | UCLA (5-7) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 32-35 | |
| 10/25 | A | USC (6-6) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 20-42 | |
| 11/9 | H | Minnesota (7-5) | [P4:Big Ten] | W | 26-19 | |
| 11/16 | A | Maryland (4-8) | [P4:Big Ten] | W | 31-17 | |
| 11/23 | H | Illinois (9-3) | [P4:Big Ten] | L | 31-38 | |
| 11/30 | A | Michigan St (5-7) | [P4:Big Ten] | W | 41-14 | |
| 12/26 | N | Kansas St (8-4) | [P4:Big 12] | L | 41-44 | Rate Bowl * |
* game does not count in Harbin ratings