Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, July 31, 2017

Homecoming on campus is a joyous time, when alums return and share memories of their undergraduate days. And the day is that much more glorious if the home team can win its football game.

The earliest Homecoming game for a Big Ten school in 2017? It?s September 23, when Nebraska (Rutgers) and Purdue (Michigan) welcome back alums. The latest? When Penn State plays host to Rutgers on November 11. The most popular date? October 21, when four schools have Homecoming games: Rutgers (Purdue); Wisconsin (Maryland); Michigan State (Indiana); Minnesota (Illinois).

Rutgers will be a Homecoming opponent three times, more than any other school as the Scarlet Knights play at Nebraska, at Michigan and at Penn State. Illinois, Indiana, Maryland and Michigan will be Homecoming foes two times apiece.

For what it?s worth, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Ohio State are not Homecoming foes.

2017 HOMECOMING GAMES
Illinois: Wisconsin, Oct. 28
Indiana: Michigan, Oct. 14
Iowa: Illinois, Oct. 7
Maryland: Indiana, Oct. 28
Michigan: Rutgers, Oct. 28
Michigan State: Indiana, Oct. 21
Minnesota: Illinois, Oct. 21
Nebraska: Rutgers, Sept. 23
Northwestern: Penn State, Oct. 7
Ohio State: Maryland, Oct. 7
Penn State: Rutgers, Nov. 11
Purdue: Michigan, Sept. 23
Rutgers: Purdue, Oct. 21
Wisconsin: Maryland, Oct. 21