Northwestern Football 2024 Schedule

The Northwestern Wildcats will open their 2024 football season on the road against the Purdue Boilermakers on August 31st. They will then return home to Ryan Field to host the Indiana Hoosiers on September 7th.

Northwestern will play five of its first six games at home, with the only road game being a trip to Nebraska on September 21st. They will also host the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 5th and the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 19th.

## Northwestern Football 2024 Schedule

Opens at Purdue on August 31st
Home opener vs. Indiana on September 7th
Five of first six games at home
Hosts Ohio State on October 5th
Hosts Iowa on October 19th
Travels to Nebraska on September 21st
Regular season finale at Illinois on November 23rd
Crossover game vs. Michigan State (date TBD)

Northwestern will play nine home games in 2024, including a crossover game against Michigan State (date TBD). They will also have two bye weeks, on September 14th and October 26th.

### Opens at Purdue on August 31st
The Northwestern Wildcats will open their 2024 football season on the road against the Purdue Boilermakers on August 31st. This will be the first time that Northwestern has opened the season on the road since 2019, when they lost to Stanford 17-7.
Purdue is a tough opponent to open the season against, as they are coming off of a 9-4 season in 2023. The Boilermakers have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Aidan O’Connell and wide receiver Charlie Jones.
Northwestern will need to be at their best to pull off an upset in West Lafayette. The Wildcats will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and force turnovers. They will also need to make big plays in the passing game.
If Northwestern can do those things, they have a chance to start the 2024 season with a big win. However, it will be a tough task against a talented Purdue team.
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The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 12:00 PM ET.
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Northwestern has a 5-4 record all-time against Purdue. The Wildcats have won the last two meetings, including a 31-27 victory in 2022.
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Purdue is a 7-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.### Home opener vs. Indiana on September 7th
Northwestern will return home to Ryan Field to host the Indiana Hoosiers on September 7th for their home opener. This will be the first time that Northwestern has opened the season at home since 2022, when they lost to Nebraska 31-28.
Indiana is a beatable opponent, as they are coming off of a 4-8 season in 2023. The Hoosiers have a lot of talent on offense, led by quarterback Connor Bazelak and wide receiver Josh Henderson. However, their defense is a major question mark.
Northwestern will need to take advantage of Indiana’s defensive weaknesses and put up points. The Wildcats will also need to control the clock and keep the Hoosiers’ offense off the field.
If Northwestern can do those things, they should be able to win their home opener and start the 2024 season with a 2-0 record.
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The game will be broadcast on BTN at 3:30 PM ET.
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Northwestern has a 53-37-7 record all-time against Indiana. The Wildcats have won the last three meetings, including a 17-10 victory in 2022.
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Northwestern is a 10-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.### Five of first six games at home
Northwestern will play five of its first six games at home in 2024, which is a major advantage for the Wildcats. They will only have to travel to Nebraska on September 21st during that stretch.
Playing at home gives Northwestern a number of advantages. First, they will be more familiar with the surroundings and the field conditions. Second, they will have the support of their home crowd, which can be a major factor in close games. Third, they will not have to deal with the travel fatigue that comes with playing on the road.
Northwestern will need to take advantage of their home-field advantage in 2024. They have a tough schedule, but they should be able to win at least four of their first five home games.
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The Wildcats’ home schedule in 2024 is as follows:
* September 7th vs. Indiana
* September 14th (bye)
* September 21st at Nebraska
* September 28th vs. Ohio State
* October 5th vs. Iowa
* October 19th vs. Wisconsin
* October 26th (bye)
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Northwestern has a 6-1 record in home games in 2023. They will be looking to improve on that record in 2024.### Hosts Ohio State on October 5th
Northwestern will host the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 5th in a highly anticipated matchup. Ohio State is one of the top teams in the country, and they will be a major challenge for the Wildcats.
Northwestern has not beaten Ohio State since 2004, and they have only won twice in the history of the series. However, the Wildcats will have the home-field advantage in this game, and they will be looking to pull off an upset.
Northwestern will need to play their best game of the season to beat Ohio State. They will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and force turnovers. They will also need to make big plays in the passing game.
If Northwestern can do those things, they have a chance to pull off a major upset and beat Ohio State. However, it will be a tough task against one of the best teams in the country.
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The game will be broadcast on FOX at 12:00 PM ET.
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Ohio State is a 24-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.### Hosts Iowa on October 19th
Northwestern will host the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 19th in a battle for the Heartland Trophy. Iowa is a tough opponent, and they will be looking to avenge their 31-23 loss to Northwestern in 2023.
Iowa is known for its physical style of play, and they have one of the best defenses in the country. The Hawkeyes will be a major challenge for Northwestern, but the Wildcats will be looking to pull off another upset.
Northwestern will need to be at their best to beat Iowa. They will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and force turnovers. They will also need to make big plays in the passing game.
If Northwestern can do those things, they have a chance to beat Iowa and win the Heartland Trophy. However, it will be a tough task against a physical and well-coached Iowa team.
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The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 12:00 PM ET.
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Iowa is a 3-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.### Travels to Nebraska on September 21st
Northwestern will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 21st. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2021, when Nebraska won 56-7.
Nebraska is a tough opponent, and they will be looking to avenge their loss to Northwestern in 2021. The Cornhuskers have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Casey Thompson and wide receiver Trey Palmer.
Northwestern will need to be at their best to pull off an upset in Lincoln. They will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and force turnovers. They will also need to make big plays in the passing game.
If Northwestern can do those things, they have a chance to pull off a major upset and beat Nebraska. However, it will be a tough task against a talented Nebraska team.
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The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 3:30 PM ET.
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Nebraska is a 10-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.### Regular season finale at Illinois on November 23rd
Northwestern will travel to Champaign, Illinois to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the regular season finale on November 23rd. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2023, when Illinois won 26-14.
Illinois is a tough opponent, and they will be looking to finish the season on a high note. The Fighting Illini have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Tommy DeVito and wide receiver Isaiah Williams.
Northwestern will need to be at their best to pull off an upset in Champaign. They will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and force turnovers. They will also need to make big plays in the passing game.
If Northwestern can do those things, they have a chance to finish the season on a high note with a win over Illinois. However, it will be a tough task against a talented Illinois team.
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The game will be broadcast on BTN at 11:00 AM ET.
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Northwestern is a 3-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.### Crossover game vs. Michigan State (date TBD)
Northwestern will play a crossover game against the Michigan State Spartans in 2024. The date and location of the game have not yet been determined.
Michigan State is a tough opponent, and they will be a major challenge for Northwestern. The Spartans have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Payton Thorne and wide receiver Jayden Reed.
Northwestern will need to be at their best to pull off an upset against Michigan State. They will need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and force turnovers. They will also need to make big plays in the passing game.
If Northwestern can do those things, they have a chance to pull off a major upset and beat Michigan State. However, it will be a tough task against a talented Spartans team.
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The game will be broadcast on either ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU.
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Northwestern is a 7-point underdog in the game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.## FAQ
### Introduction Paragraph for FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Northwestern Football 2024 Schedule:
**Question 1: When does Northwestern open the 2024 season?**
**Answer 1:** Northwestern opens the 2024 season on August 31st at Purdue.
**Question 2: When is Northwestern’s home opener in 2024?**
**Answer 2:** Northwestern’s home opener in 2024 is on September 7th against Indiana.
**Question 3: How many home games does Northwestern have in 2024?**
**Answer 3:** Northwestern has nine home games in 2024.
**Question 4: Who is Northwestern’s toughest opponent in 2024?**
**Answer 4:** Northwestern’s toughest opponent in 2024 is Ohio State, who they host on October 5th.
**Question 5: When is Northwestern’s regular season finale in 2024?**
**Answer 5:** Northwestern’s regular season finale in 2024 is on November 23rd at Illinois.
**Question 6: Does Northwestern have a crossover game in 2024?**
**Answer 6:** Yes, Northwestern has a crossover game against Michigan State in 2024. The date and location of the game have not yet been determined.
### Closing Paragraph for FAQ
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the Northwestern Football 2024 Schedule. For more information, please visit the Northwestern Athletics website.
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In addition to the FAQ, here are a few tips for attending a Northwestern football game in 2024:

## Tips
### Introduction Paragraph for Tips
Here are a few tips for attending a Northwestern football game in 2024:
**Tip 1: Buy your tickets early.**
Tickets for Northwestern football games go on sale to the general public in the spring. If you want to get the best seats, it’s important to buy your tickets as early as possible.
**Tip 2: Arrive early.**
Ryan Field is a large stadium, and it can take some time to get to your seats. It’s a good idea to arrive at the stadium at least an hour before kickoff to give yourself plenty of time to find your seats and get settled in.
**Tip 3: Dress for the weather.**
Chicago weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to dress for all types of weather. If it’s cold, be sure to wear a hat, gloves, and a warm coat. If it’s raining, bring a poncho or an umbrella.
**Tip 4: Be respectful of other fans.**
Northwestern football games are a great place to have fun and cheer on the Wildcats. However, it’s important to be respectful of other fans, even if they’re cheering for the other team.
### Closing Paragraph for Tips
These are just a few tips for attending a Northwestern football game in 2024. For more information, please visit the Northwestern Athletics website.
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I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

## Conclusion
The Northwestern Football 2024 Schedule is a challenging one, but it also presents a lot of opportunities for the Wildcats. Northwestern will open the season at Purdue, and they will have five of their first six games at home. They will also host Ohio State and Iowa, two of the top teams in the Big Ten.
Northwestern will need to be at their best to compete in 2024, but they have the talent and the coaching to do it. If they can stay healthy and play to their potential, they have a chance to have a successful season.
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I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Go Wildcats!