{"id":423753,"date":"2026-08-04T18:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T18:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/423753\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T18:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T18:32:09","slug":"boise-states-most-important-pac-12-matchups-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/423753\/","title":{"rendered":"Boise State\u2019s most important Pac-12 matchups in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boise State<\/a> is a near-consensus favorite to win another championship in Year 1 of the reborn Pac-12<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Broncos received 14 of 16 first-place votes in the Pac-12 preseason media poll <\/a>and are a +164 favorite to capture a fourth straight conference title in the DraftKings Pac-12 betting odds. Boise State closed its Mountain West run with three consecutive championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the Broncos gear up for a potential College Football Playoff run in 2026, here are the team\u2019s three most important intraconference matchups in Year 1 of the new Pac-12.<\/p>\n

Saturday, Oct. 10 – at Fresno State<\/p>\n

Boise State\u2019s first Pac-12 road game will be in a familiar venue against archrival Fresno State for the Milk Can Trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In last year\u2019s matchup at Albertsons Stadium, the Bulldogs knocked out quarterback Maddux Madsen and rode their defense to a runaway 30-7 victory on The Blue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fresno State returns 13 starters from last year\u2019s team that won nine games and finished 4-1 to close the season. If Fresno State hadn\u2019t suffered a stunning home loss to Utah State on Nov. 22, the Bulldogs may have earned a MWC championship game berth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To secure a road victory, the Broncos will need to fend off a talented team and a hostile Fresno State crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saturday, Oct. 24 – at Washington State<\/p>\n

The Broncos will get a much-needed week off between their road trips to Fresno and Pullman.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Washington State is a bit of a mystery entering the 2026 season under first-year head coach Kirby Moore, a former Boise State wide receiver and the younger brother of Broncos legend Kellen Moore. The Cougars underwent a roster overhaul, losing nearly 60 players to the transfer portal while adding 28.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of the incoming transfers was star UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick, the 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year who threw for 3,206 yards and 32 touchdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Cougars might be a year away from competing against the Pac-12\u2019s top teams, but Boise State could find itself in a war on Oct. 24.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saturday, Nov. 21 – vs. San Diego State\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a potential championship game preview, Boise State will host the Aztecs in the final game of conference play ahead of the Pac-12\u2019s flex week<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

San Diego State hosted Boise State last year and pulled out a 17-7 victory in miserable conditions at Snapdragon Stadium. Backup quarterback Max Cutforth started for the Broncos, who amassed just 268 yards of total offense in the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Aztecs are expected to contend for a Pac-12 title in Year 3 of the Sean Lewis era. If the Broncos take care of business at home on Nov. 21, they should be in good shape to secure a title game berth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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