The Oregon Ducks have added the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to their 2027 football schedule, according to an official announcement from both schools Friday.
Oregon will host Western Kentucky at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday, September 18, 2027. The game will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.
Oregon holds a 5-0 record over current members of Conference USA, while Western Kentucky is winless in twelve contests against Big Ten opponents.
With the addition of Western Kentucky, Oregon has completed its non-conference schedule for the 2027 season. The Ducks are scheduled to open the season at home against Eastern Washington on Sept. 4 before traveling to face Baylor on Sept. 11.
In Big Ten action in 2027, Oregon will host Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, and Purdue, while visiting Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, UCLA, and Washington.
Oregon is the third scheduled non-league opponent for Western Kentucky in 2027. The Hilltoppers are also slated to visit Ball State on Sept. 11 and host Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 25 that season.
UPDATE (March 10, 2026)
Per the copy of the contract obtained from Western Kentucky University, the Ducks will pay the Hilltoppers a $1.1 million guarantee for the game in 2027.
Football Schedules
So no Civil War in 2027 either? Must not suck to be a Oregon State fan
It will not be easy to schedule games like Oregon-Oregon State, Notre Dame-USC, Oklahoma State-Oklahoma, Missouri-Kansas or even Georgia-Clemson.
Nine game conference schedules are now new normal with P4.
Furthermore, I think it’s excellent that blockbuster rivalries are no longer playing annually anymore.
Dan,
I call B.S. If Oregon can schedule WKU, then they can schedule Oregon State. If Washington and Washington State can play so can the beavers and Ducks.
To use your example, Clemson and South Carolina play every year, so do Kentucky and Louisville.
If Oregon is not scheduling Oregon State it’s because they don’t want to.
318north I have zero issues with Oregon & Oregon State not interested in playing each other.
Pardon me for using words fan & favorite I am a fan of four SEC-ACC Thanksgiving weekend match ups with Georgia-Georgia Tech as my favorite.
I am fully blessed & happy with state of CFB.
Oregon and Oregon State wanted to play in 2027, according to Oregon State’s athletic director, but Oregon State couldn’t make room on their schedule for it.
https://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/2026/02/oregon-oregon-state-football-rivalry-delayed-until-2028.html
The Ducks and Beavers are not playing this fall, the first pause in the 128-game series since 1944. They also won’t be meeting in 2027, according to Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes.
“We weren’t able to do that,” Barnes told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “That was on our side.”
Kentucky-Louisville have to meet every year by actual law…….I think its the only rivalry game that actually has to meet…….maybe Kevin can help us out with this?
I’m not aware of any law requiring them to play.
Jinzo 2400 Remember Kentucky & Louisville are both P4 teams like Georgia & Georgia Tech, Florida & Florida State & South Carolina & Clemson.
Furthermore, I really enjoy making educated guesses & it does not have to be perfect.