Big Ten announces 2021 football schedule changes

The Big Ten announced changes to the 2021 football schedule Friday, including several changes for Maryland football.

Due to coronavirus postponements, cancellations and rescheduling of games during the shortened 2020 season, the league was forced to make changes to re-balance schedules.

Maryland was originally scheduled to face cross-divisional opponents Illinois and Minnesota on the road in 2021, while hosting Iowa. The Terps were also scheduled to host divisional opponents Indiana, Penn State and Michigan, while traveling to face Rutgers, Ohio State and Michigan State.

While the home and away matchups remain the same, dates for conference games have been shuffled. The Terps will face off with Iowa and Ohio State ahead of their October bye week and had Rutgers moved to the final week of the regular season.

In nonconference play, Maryland is scheduled to host West Virginia on Sept. 4 and Kent State on Sept. 25. The Terps had one open date, but filled that slot with a rematch against 2019 opponent Howard on Sept. 11.

This season will make the first time since 2001 that Maryland has played all of its nonconference home games at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium.

The Terps finished 2-3 in the brief 2020 season. Games against Ohio State, Michigan State (two matchups), Michigan were cancelled due to coronavirus protocols.

Head coach Mike Locksley brings in the No. 18 recruiting class in the country, which features five-star linebacker Terrence Lewis and four four stars — defensive end Demeioun Robinson, linebacker Branden Jennings and defensive tackles Taizse Johnson and Tommy Akingbesote.

Here is a look at the updated schedule: