Pac-12 Unveils 2026 Football Schedule with Exciting Week 13 Flex
The Pac-12 Conference is making a grand return to college football with a fresh lineup and a quirky twist to its schedule.
After a brief hiatus following its disbandment in 2024, the Pac-12 has pieced itself back together by adding five schools from the Mountain West and bringing in Texas State as its eighth member.
This new version of the league is set to bring fans a wild season in 2026, and there’s a funky “flex” element coming in Week 13.
So, what’s in store for fans of the new-look Pac-12?
Contents
The New Pac-12 Lineup
Trying to recapture some of its old magic, the Pac-12 has lined up these teams:
- Oregon State
- Washington State
- Boise State
- Colorado State
- Fresno State
- San Diego State
- Texas State
- Utah State
They’ll battle it out in an eight-team league, playing a round-robin schedule. Each team also gets four non-conference games to kick things off.
There’s a mix of new rivalries and some old ones coming back, so expect a season packed with competitive, high-stakes games.
Week 13 Flex Matchups
One of the more interesting wrinkles in the 2026 Pac-12 schedule is the “flex” element in Week 13.
This lets the conference shuffle matchups to fit the league’s best interests, especially with the College Football Playoff in mind.
Home and Away Games
During Week 13, these four teams get home games:
- Colorado State
- Fresno State
- Utah State
- Washington State
The other four will hit the road, which adds a little chaos and suspense as the season wraps up.
This setup should keep fans guessing right up to the last week.
2026 Pac-12 Football Schedule
The full 2026 schedule is out, and there are definitely some games you’ll want to keep an eye on.
Here are a few key dates and matchups worth circling on your calendar:
September
- Sept. 5: Oregon State at Oregon, Wyoming at Boise State, USC vs. Colorado State, Houston vs. San Diego State, Portland State at Fresno State, Texas vs. Utah State, Idaho State at Washington State
- Sept. 12: Memphis at Oregon State, Southern Utah at Boise State, Sac State at Colorado State, Texas Tech vs. San Diego State, UCLA vs. Fresno State, UTSA at Texas State, Washington vs. Idaho State
- Sept. 19: South Dakota at Oregon State, BYU at Boise State, San Jose State vs. Colorado State, Montana vs. San Diego State, James Madison at Fresno State, North Texas vs. Texas State, Utah vs. Washington State
- Sept. 26: Western Michigan vs. Oregon State, UTSA vs. Boise State, Rice at Colorado State, UTEP vs. San Diego State, Toledo vs. Fresno State, Incarnate Word at Texas State, Troy vs. Washington State
October
- Oct. 3: Utah State vs. Oregon State, Oregon State vs. Boise State, Oregon State vs. Colorado State, Colorado State vs. San Diego State, Texas State vs. Fresno State, San Diego State vs. Texas State, Boise State vs. Washington State
- Oct. 10: Fresno State vs. Oregon State, San Diego State vs. Boise State, Washington State vs. Colorado State, Fresno State vs. San Diego State, Utah State vs. Texas State, San Diego State vs. Washington State
- Oct. 17: Oregon State vs. Washington State, Texas State vs. Boise State, Washington State vs. Colorado State, Fresno State vs. San Diego State, Texas State vs. Utah State, Washington State vs. Utah State
- Oct. 24: Washington State vs. Oregon State, San Diego State vs. Boise State, Colorado State vs. Fresno State, Utah State vs. Texas State, San Diego State vs. Washington State, Utah State vs. Washington State
- Oct. 31: Texas State vs. Oregon State, Utah State vs. Boise State, Washington State vs. Colorado State, Fresno State vs. San Diego State, Texas State vs. Utah State, Washington State vs. San Diego State
November
- Nov. 7: Colorado State vs. Oregon State, Boise State vs. San Diego State, Washington State vs. Fresno State, Utah State vs. Texas State, San Diego State vs. Washington State, Utah State vs. Washington State
- Nov. 14: Oregon State vs. Fresno State, Boise State vs. San Diego State, Texas State vs. Colorado State, San Diego State vs. Washington State, Utah State vs. Washington State, Washington State vs. Utah State
- Nov. 21: San Diego State vs. Oregon State, Fresno State vs. Boise State, Colorado State vs. Texas State, Washington State vs. Utah State, Washington State vs. San Diego State, Utah State vs. Washington State
Pac-12 Championship Game
The season wraps up with the Pac-12 Championship Game on December 4.
This one’s set for the home field of the top seed, which should make for a pretty electric atmosphere.
The game’s airing live on CBS Sports and Paramount+, so fans everywhere can tune in.
Media Rights Partnership
On the media front, CBS Sports and the Pac-12 have extended their partnership through the 2030-31 season.
That means CBS Sports stays the main broadcaster for the Pac-12, including the title game every year.
Fans can expect solid coverage all season long—maybe even a little more than before.
Conclusion
The Pac-12 Conference is coming back in 2026, and honestly, it feels like a big deal for college football fans.
This time around, there’s a new mix of teams. They’re also throwing in a “flex” element for Week 13, which sounds like it could shake things up.
There’s a fresh media rights partnership with CBS Sports too. That should mean more ways to catch the games, maybe even some surprises.
People love to call it the “Conference of Champions,” and it’s clear they’re aiming to rebuild that reputation. I’d expect some classic rivalries and a few wild moments—maybe even some new traditions.
If you want to dig into the schedule or see who’s playing who, check out the official announcement.