Big Ten announces 2014 conference schedule

With two new members coming on board in 2014, and with a nine-game conference slate looming on down the road, the Big Ten has released its league schedule for the first season under a new divisional format.

Highlighting the eight-game schedule, of course, is Maryland and Rutgers entering the conference rotation.

Both the Terps and Scarlet Knights will play their East Division opponents (Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State) as well as each other, plus two cross-division games. The former will face West Division foes Iowa at home and Wisconsin on the road, while the latter travels to Nebraska and hosts Wisconsin.

The two new members will close out the 2014 season against one another Nov. 29 in College Park.

Rutgers will be the first of the two new members to open conference play, hosting Penn State Sept. 13 in the lone Big Ten contest that weekend. Maryland’s inaugural Big Ten game will take place two weeks later at Indiana.

From the Big Ten’s release:

From Sept. 27 to Nov. 29, the 2014 Big Ten schedule will feature 10 consecutive weeks of Big Ten competition, boasting at least five conference games each week. All 14 teams will be in action during the final two weeks of Big Ten play, including six division games each week.

Beginning in 2016, the Big Ten will move to the nine-game conference schedule, with each team playing their six division foes plus three cross-division games. One of those cross-division games will be an annual protected matchup.

The Big Ten championship game will be held Dec. 6 in Indianapolis.

Below is the complete 2014 Big Ten conference schedule: