The Pac-12 is back-and it’s stretching all the way to San Marcos, Texas.
After a chaotic stretch that left the conference hanging by a thread with just Oregon State and Washington State, the Pac-12 has rebuilt itself into a full-fledged, eight-team league for the 2026 season. That brings the FBS back to 10 complete conferences, and the final piece of that puzzle? Texas State.
The Bobcats officially joined the Pac-12 in late June 2025, ending a 13-year run in the Sun Belt. It's a bold move, but one that makes sense given the momentum this program has been building.
Under head coach GJ Kinne, Texas State has found its footing in the FBS, stacking up three straight winning seasons and-more notably-three straight bowl wins, the first in school history. That kind of turnaround doesn’t go unnoticed, and now the Bobcats are stepping into a bigger spotlight.
And now, we know what their first Pac-12 campaign will look like. The conference released its full 2026 schedule earlier this week, and for Texas State, the road ahead is equal parts exciting and demanding.
Texas State’s 2026 Schedule at a Glance
Week 1 (Sept. 5) - at Texas
Right out of the gate, the Bobcats head to Austin to face the Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. It’s a tough opener, but also a prime opportunity to make a statement.
Week 2 (Sept. 12) - vs. UTSA
The I-35 Rivalry rolls on in San Marcos. UTSA dominated the early years of this matchup, winning five straight from 2012 to 2023.
But Texas State has flipped the script with back-to-back wins heading into this year’s clash.
Week 3 (Sept. 19) - vs. North Texas
Another in-state showdown, this time with American Conference foe North Texas. It’s the second of three straight home games for the Bobcats in September.
Week 4 (Sept. 26) - vs. Incarnate Word (FCS)
The Bobcats close out their non-conference slate with a matchup against Incarnate Word. It’s a game they’ll be expected to win, but in a year of transition, nothing comes easy.
Week 5 (Oct. 3) - at San Diego State
Conference play begins with a long trip west to Snapdragon Stadium. This will be the first-ever meeting between Texas State and San Diego State.
Week 6 (Oct. 10) - BYE
Week 7 (Oct. 17) - vs. Colorado State
The Bobcats return home to face the Rams. This game could be flexed to Thursday, Oct. 15, depending on TV scheduling.
Week 8 (Oct. 24) - vs. Utah State
A rare rematch from over a decade ago-Texas State and Utah State last met in 2012, during the Bobcats’ first FBS season. The Aggies won that one 38-7.
Week 9 (Oct. 31) - at Boise State
A Halloween trip to the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium. This will be Texas State’s first-ever game against Boise State.
Week 10 (Nov. 7) - at Oregon State
Back-to-back road games continue with a trip to Corvallis. Oregon State, one of the two original holdovers from the Pac-12’s collapse, will be a key test.
Week 11 (Nov. 14) - vs. Fresno State
A November home game against a seasoned Mountain West program. Like many on this schedule, it’s a first-time matchup for the Bobcats.
Week 12 (Nov. 21) - vs. Washington State
The Cougars visit San Marcos for the first time. Another historic first meeting, and another opportunity for Texas State to prove it belongs in this new-look Pac-12.
Week 13 (Nov. 28) - FLEX GAME - Opponent TBD (Road Game)
Here’s where things get interesting.
What’s the Deal with the Week 13 Flex Game?
The Pac-12 is rolling out a brand-new scheduling wrinkle in 2026: the “flex game.” Every team in the league will play seven guaranteed conference games in a round-robin format.
The eighth? That’s saved for Week 13-and it won’t be set until late November.
Why? Strategy.
The idea is to give the conference some wiggle room to help position its teams for a potential College Football Playoff berth. Let’s say Texas State is in the mix as one of the top five ranked conference champs.
The Pac-12 could schedule a favorable matchup to help push the Bobcats over the finish line. Or, if they’re just outside the cut line and need a quality win, the league could line up a marquee opponent to boost their résumé.
It’s a forward-thinking move, and one that could pay dividends in the new CFP format.
For now, we know that Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State, and Washington State will host the Week 13 flex games in year one of this system. One early projection has Texas State heading to Colorado State for a rematch of their Week 7 game, but nothing is locked in.
The final matchups will be announced no later than Sunday, Nov. 22.
Championship Game Details
The Pac-12 title game is set for Friday, Dec. 4, and there’s a big change from years past: it’s no longer at a neutral site. Instead, the game will be hosted on campus by the team with the best conference record. That means home-field advantage is back in play, and for a team like Texas State looking to make waves, that’s a big deal.
The game will air on CBS, joining the Big 12 as the only other confirmed Friday night championship game in 2026.
Schedule Notes & Trivia
- All 12 regular-season games are currently scheduled for Saturdays, with the Week 7 Colorado State game as the only one that could move to a Thursday.
- Texas State won’t leave the state until October, opening with four straight games in Texas-including three at home.
- The Bobcats will play six Pac-12 opponents for the first time ever: San Diego State, Colorado State, Boise State, Oregon State, Fresno State, and Washington State.
- Their only previous meeting with Utah State came in 2012, during their FBS debut season.
- Geographically speaking, their easternmost game is actually Week 1 at Texas. That’s right-Austin (97.7°W) is further east than any of their Pac-12 road trips.
In total, Texas State will play:
- 8 games in the Central Time Zone (7 at home)
- 2 in the Pacific Time Zone
- 1 in the Mountain Time Zone
- 1 TBD (Week 13 flex game)
Final Thoughts
Texas State’s leap into the Pac-12 marks a new chapter-not just for the program, but for the conference itself. The Bobcats have been building toward something under GJ Kinne, and now they get a chance to test that progress on a bigger stage.
The 2026 schedule is no cakewalk, but it's full of opportunity. From the I-35 Rivalry to a potential flex game with major postseason implications, the Bobcats are officially in the mix.
The road to relevance in a reimagined Pac-12 starts now. And Texas State looks ready to run it.