Washington State’s 2026 Schedule: A New-Look Pac-12, Familiar Grit
The 2026 Pac-12 football schedule is officially out, and for Washington State, it’s a slate that blends opportunity with challenge. The Cougars will play seven conference games - three at home, four on the road - with a unique twist to close out the regular season: a flex game, whose opponent and final location remain to be determined.
What is known? Wazzu will host that final matchup, regardless of who lines up across from them.
Right now, it’s projected to be a rematch with Oregon State, but the conference has made it clear that’s subject to change. The goal is to avoid the awkward scenario of two teams playing in the regular-season finale and then turning around to face each other again in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Oh, and that flex game? It won’t count in the conference standings - a strategic move that adds a bit of late-season intrigue.
Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould called the schedule release “a major milestone” for the league’s new era, and it’s hard to argue. With national TV deals in place across CBS Sports, USA Network, and The CW, the reimagined Pac-12 is stepping into the spotlight with a fresh identity and a national platform.
Non-Conference Warmup, Then the Real Test
Washington State kicks off the season with four straight non-conference games, starting with a rivalry clash at Washington on September 5. That’s followed by a tough road trip to Kansas State on September 12 - a game that could prove to be an early measuring stick. The Cougars return to Pullman for back-to-back home games: Duquesne on September 19, and then Arizona on September 26.
While Arizona is technically a non-conference opponent in this new Pac-12 format, the familiarity between the programs adds some spice to that Week 4 matchup.
The Cougars’ first official Pac-12 game comes against Fresno State, scheduled for either October 2 or 3. The Friday/Saturday flexibility is part of the league’s new approach to maximize exposure.
WSU beat the Bulldogs in Fresno in 2024, holding on for a 25-17 win. It’s been more than three decades - since 1994 - since Fresno State made the trip to Pullman.
Next up: Utah State on the road, another flex-date game (October 9 or 10). The Cougars handled the Aggies 34-21 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl last year, and they’ve had recent success against them in Pullman. But WSU hasn’t played in Logan since 1950, so this one brings a bit of historical flavor.
Rivalries, Revenge, and Road Tests
Circle October 17. That’s when the Cougars head to Corvallis to face Oregon State in what’s quickly becoming one of the more emotionally charged matchups in the conference.
The two teams split last season - OSU won a grinder in Corvallis, 10-7, while WSU dominated the rematch in Pullman, 32-8. Add in the fact that former Beavers head coach Trent Bray is now the Cougars’ defensive coordinator, and this one’s got all the makings of a grudge match.
Notably, the road team hasn’t won in this series since 2018 (excluding the fanless 2020 season).
Back in Pullman on October 24, the Cougars will host Boise State - a team that embarrassed WSU in Boise in 2024 behind a dominant showing from Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos are expected to be one of the top dogs in the new-look Pac-12, and this matchup could carry serious implications.
The last time Boise State came to Pullman? That unforgettable 2017 comeback led by Tyler Hilinski.
Then it’s Halloween night in San Diego. The Cougars will face a scrappy San Diego State squad that went 9-4 last season.
WSU handled them in Pullman last year, but Snapdragon Stadium has a reputation for rough conditions - something the Cougars experienced firsthand in 2024. Expect another physical battle under the lights.
Bye Comes Late, But Sets Up Final Push
After nine straight games, WSU finally gets a breather on November 7. It’s a much-needed bye before the Cougars gear up for the final stretch.
They’ll host Colorado State on November 14 - a team they beat soundly, 20-3, in Fort Collins last season. This one also brings a bit of off-field drama.
Rams head coach Jim Mora made headlines in late 2024 with accusations that WSU tampered with UConn players while he was still coaching there. That storyline might not impact the Xs and Os, but it’ll definitely be part of the week’s buzz.
Week 12 sends the Cougars to San Marcos for their first-ever meeting with Texas State on November 21. It’s a fresh matchup and a long trip late in the season, but one that could be critical depending on how the standings shake out.
The Flex Finale - and What Comes After
The regular season wraps with that flex game in Pullman. As of now, it’s Oregon State again - setting up the possibility of a trilogy between the two programs if both make the Pac-12 title game. But the conference will wait to finalize that matchup, keeping postseason implications in mind.
No kickoff times or TV details have been announced yet, and WSU hasn’t released dates for key events like Homecoming or Dad’s Weekend. What we do know: the Pac-12 Championship Game is set for Friday, December 4, and it’ll be held at an on-campus site.
So buckle up. The Cougars’ 2026 schedule is a mix of old rivalries, new foes, and a whole lot of intrigue. In a redefined Pac-12, Washington State has a chance to make a statement - and they’ll have to earn it, one game at a time.