Boise State has a new conference, and it should be one of the stars right away in the new Pac-12, especially with its slate.
It wasn’t exactly in a rebuilding season after going to the College Football Playoff two years ago, but a few injuries and misfires made it the fourth season with five or more losses in the last five years.
And it still won its third straight Mountain West Championship.
How tough is this year’s slate? Here’s our analysis of the 2026 Boise State schedule.
Breaking Down the Boise State 2026 Football Schedule
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson reacts against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium.© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
The Good
The non-conference slate isn’t a positive, but getting Memphis and South Dakota in Boise is a big deal. and hosting San Diego State is a massive plus.
There are plenty of familiar faces from the Mountain West, it doesn’t have to make the trip to San Marcos to deal with Texas State, and three of the last four games before the flex – at the moment, a trip to Utah State – are at home.
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The Bad
Starting the season at Oregon is a hit, and going to Western Michigan against the defending MAC champion is more dangerous than it might seem.
No, there aren’t two road games in a row in back-to-back weeks, and there’s a week off between the dates at Fresno State and Washington State, but there isn’t a home game for more than three weeks in the middle of the season.
Best-Case Scenario
The Broncos put up a good fight at Oregon – like they did in the 37-34 loss in 2024 – in a tough loss, but there aren’t any real problems against Memphis or at Western Michigan.
Everything rolls from there. At the favorites in every game the rest of the way, they get through unscathed, get to the Pac-12 Championship at 11-1, and it’s off to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three seasons.
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Worst-Case Scenario
After the loss at Oregon, the Broncos get hit with a stunning loss to Memphis for an 0-2 start.
The road becomes a problem, starting the Pac-12 season 1-2 losing at Fresno State and Washington State, and there goes the College Football Playoff. San Diego State takes care of the Broncos to end the Pac-12 title hopes, too.
2026 Boise State Football Schedule
Sept 5 at Oregon
Sept 12 Memphis
Sept 19 South Dakota
Sept 26 at Western Michigan
Oct 3 Utah State
Oct 10 at Fresno State
Oct 17 OPEN DATE
Oct 24 at Washington State
Oct 31 Texas State
Nov 7 at Colorado State
Nov 14 Oregon State
Nov 20 or 21 San Diego State
Nov 28 at Utah State (flex)
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Games That Will Decide Boise State Season
1. San Diego State, Nov. 28
The Aztecs hammered down defensively on the Broncos last year. This time around, the last game of the Pac-12 regular season before the flex could make or break the Pac-12 title hopes.
2. at Washington State, Oct 24
It’s not really a rivalry considering they’ve only played seven times, but geography is about to make it one. Coming after a week off, it’s a must win.
3. at Fresno State, Oct. 10
If Boise State or San Diego State isn’t the best team in the conference, Fresno State is. Win this, and a Pac-12 Championship appearance is almost a lock.
This story was originally published by College Football News on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
