Pac-12 Football Schedule Talks Heat Up: What WSU and the Rest of the Conference Are Weighing for 2026
We might be in the thick of winter, but college football never really goes into hibernation - especially not in the Pac-12, where the future of the 2026 schedule is front and center.
While the Pac-12 governing board didn’t make any official announcements this week, there’s plenty going on behind the scenes. According to reports, the board is weighing three different scheduling models for the upcoming season - each with its own logistical challenges and postseason implications. And yes, Washington State fans, this directly impacts how your Saturdays will look come fall.
Let’s break it down.
The Three Scheduling Models on the Table
The board is currently considering three options:
Option 1: A seven-game conference schedule, which would require each team to schedule five non-conference games. That’s a tall order.
Just ask Washington State and Oregon State - both programs had to scramble to fill out their 2024 schedules after the Pac-12 shakeup, and it wasn’t easy. Securing five non-conference opponents every year is not only a logistical headache, it’s expensive.
For that reason alone, this option feels like a long shot.
Option 2: An eight-game conference slate, built around one home-and-home series with another Pac-12 team. That means each team plays the same opponent twice - once at home, once on the road - and both games count toward the conference standings.
This model reduces the number of non-conference games to four, which is much more manageable from a scheduling and budget standpoint. It also adds some spice - imagine the drama of a rematch with postseason implications baked in.
Option 3: A hybrid of the first two. Like Option 2, it features a home-and-home series, but only one of those games would count as a conference matchup.
The other would essentially be an in-conference non-conference game. It’s a creative workaround, but it also raises questions about fairness and clarity in the standings.
Why Option 2 Makes the Most Sense
From a football perspective, Option 2 seems to offer the best balance. It keeps the number of non-conference games reasonable, which is a big deal for programs like WSU that already have four non-conference opponents lined up for 2026 and 2027. It also creates more meaningful conference games - and that’s key when you’re trying to build a resume for the College Football Playoff.
Remember, the Pac-12 is now part of the Group of Five (G5) landscape, and that changes the calculus. To earn a CFP bid, the conference champion will likely need to be the highest-ranked G5 team in the nation.
That means strength of schedule matters - and so does perception. A model that emphasizes head-to-head conference matchups and raises the stakes each week could help the Pac-12 make a stronger case come Selection Sunday.
Option 3 might make it easier to win the conference - fewer games, fewer hurdles - but that doesn’t necessarily help with national rankings. If only one of two matchups counts toward the standings, it could muddy the waters and lessen the impact of big wins.
What’s Next?
While the board hasn’t made anything official, it’s possible a decision has already been made behind closed doors. The timeline for an announcement may hinge on getting feedback from all member schools.
In the meantime, the conference is also working on finalizing the location and timing of the Pac-12 Championship Game. No word yet on where it’ll land, but Las Vegas continues to make a lot of sense - central location, big stage, and plenty of buzz.
So while the snow keeps falling and basketball takes center stage (for now), keep your eye on the football front. The 2026 schedule may still be in flux, but the conversations happening now will shape the next chapter of Pac-12 football - and for programs like WSU, every detail matters.