SDSU Aztecs Football releases inaugural Pac-12 schedule
The SDSU Aztecs run out to the field led by QB Jayden Denegal with the Warrior Shield. Credit: Brandon Pollard/EVT
The Pac-12 and its eight teams announced the 2026 football schedule on Wednesday evening.
The Aztecs’ eight-game conference schedule comes with a twist, however. They face each of the seven other teams in their conference once before closing out their regular season in a “flex” game in Week 13.
The first seven games will count towards the conference records and determine the two teams who will play in the conference championship game on Friday, December 4. Their opening Pac-12 game will be the first-ever contest against Texas State at home on October 3 before traveling to play Oregon State on October 10.
The Battle for the Old Oil Can will resume on October 17 at Snapdragon Stadium against Fresno State. The Aztecs will look to keep the trophy in Southern California. Following that game, the Aztecs will play at Colorado State (October 24) and host Washington State (October 31) on Halloween before their only bye of the season.
The Aztecs’ final two conference games will be at home against Utah State (November 14) and on the blue turf at Boise State (November 21).
While these matchups are set, the games could be moved to non-Saturdays when the TV schedule is announced later this summer.
The final “flex” game opponent is yet to be determined, but the Aztecs will definitely head on the road for the contest to fulfill their fourth away game. Their potential opponents would be Fresno State, Utah State, or Washington State, depending on the best interests of the league for College Football Playoff considerations.
The initial projected matchups released by the Pac-12 show a second matchup against Fresno State, but subject to confirmation or change six days before the game. An intriguing game for rivalry purposes and possibly a second opportunity for a team to keep or take the Old Oil Can.
Since the two teams playing in the conference championship will be known following the seventh game, the Pac-12 will also likely flex out a matchup if it involves those two teams to avoid them playing three times in one season and twice back-to-back.
The announcement of the eight-game conference schedule completes the Aztecs’ 2026 schedule. Four non-conference matchups (two home and two away) were previously announced. Here is the full slate of games.
Saturday, Sept. 5 — Portland State
Saturday, Sept. 12 – at UCLA
Saturday, Sept. 19 – James Madison
Saturday, Sept. 26 – at Toledo
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Texas State
Saturday, Oct. 10 – at Oregon State
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Fresno State
Saturday, Oct. 24 – at Colorado State
Saturday, Oct. 31 – Washington State
Saturday, Nov. 14 – Utah State
Saturday, Nov. 21 – at Boise State
Saturday, Nov. 28 – at FLEX Opponent
Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.