Big Ten Conference schools play an important part of Northern Illinois’ nonconference football schedule.

In 2012, NIU’s opener was against Iowa at Soldier Field. Next season, the Huskies will visit Iowa City on Aug. 31, and head to Purdue on Sept. 28. The Huskies have a game scheduled at Ohio State in 2015, and NIU will play host to Nebraska at Soldier Field in 2016. The Huskies will visit Lincoln in 2017 and 2019.

The Big Ten, which expanded to 12 teams with the addition of Nebraska in 2011 and will welcome Maryland and Rutgers in 2014, is talking about going to a nine-game, or even a 10-game conference schedule.