Big Ten expands football travel roster size to 80 players

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 8, 2026, 12:37 PM

Last updated Aug 8, 2026

Big Ten expands football travel roster size to 80 players
Summary

The Big Ten has voted to increase travel roster limits for league football games from 74 to 80 players. The decision follows a campaign led by Michigan State football head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who advocated for the change due to the elimination of the redshirt rule. This new rule allows for greater player participation during away games, reflecting the shifted eligibility in college football. The Big Ten's action will likely enable teams to utilize more players on the road, enhancing their competitive depth.

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Key Details
  • Big Ten increases travel roster limits from 74 to 80 players.
  • The change follows advocacy from Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald.
  • The elimination of the redshirt rule necessitated the roster expansion.
  • Teams can now bring more players to away games for better depth.
Latest Updates
  • 12:37 PMYahoo SportsBig Ten passes rule expanding football travel rosters for league games
What they're saying
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A week ago, Pat Fitzgerald advocated for the Big Ten to increase roster sizes for travel games. This week, he got his wish:

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