2026 Pac-12 Week 3 Game Previews: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds, Predictions
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North Texas (1-1) at Texas State (0-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. PT
Network: USA Network
Spread: Texas State -2.5, O/U 63.5
Preview: Texas State is still on the hunt for its first win of the season, but the Bobcats’ offense showed signs of returning to form last week in the 31-26 loss to UTSA.
In that loss, the Bobcats rushed for 289 yards, with Torrance Burgess Jr. having a career day with 149 rushing yards on just 17 carries, including a 65-yard run, while Davian Jackson added a career-high 99 yards.
The running game has become important for Texas State with the Bobcats being shorthanded at receiver. Beau Sparks missed last week’s game, and Arizona State transfer Zechariah Sample hasn’t played yet this season. Kylen Evans took advantage of the opportunity against UTSA, setting career highs with five catches for 96 yards.
North Texas will be a challenge for the Bobcats too. The Mean Green defeated UNLV 44-6 last week, holding UNLV to just 98 rushing yards and forcing four turnovers, while Jahiem White rushed for 124 yards.
Texas State’s offense has finished among the nation’s top 12 in scoring in each of the last three seasons. After finally getting its running game going against UTSA, Saturday gives the Bobcats another chance to show their offense can reach the standard they want to achieve.
Prediction: Texas State 34, North Texas 30
Utah State (0-2) at No. 17 Utah (2-0)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 12:30 p.m. PT
Network: FOX
Spread: Utah -27.5, O/U 56.5
Preview: Utah State came within one play of shocking No. 19 Washington last week. The Aggies get another shot at a ranked opponent when they travel to Salt Lake City for the 114th edition of the Battle of the Brothers.
The Aggies lost 16-14 in Seattle after their final Hail Mary was intercepted, but their defense gave them a chance throughout the game. The Aggies currently lead the Pac-12 in total defense, allowing 298.5 yards per game, and rushing defense at 98 yards per game.
The defense will have its hands full against Utah. The Utes are averaging 54.5 points and 537.5 yards through two games after beating Arkansas 43-10 last week. Quarterback Devon Dampier has thrown five touchdowns, while running back Wayshawn Parker has already scored six times between rushing and receiving.
Quarterback Grady Brosterhous also gave the Aggies some life in his first career start. The Virginia transfer threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 81 yards on the ground. His 78-yard touchdown to Javon Robinson was also Utah State’s longest play from scrimmage since 2020, but his three interceptions were a concern.
Rivalry games are always exciting, but it’s going to be a tough challenge for a winless Utah State team.
Prediction: Utah 35, Utah State 17
Duquesne (0-2) at Washington State (0-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 12:30 p.m. PT
Network: USA Network
Spread: Washington State -38.5, O/U 53.5
Preview: Washington State has its first home game in Pullman, looking for its first win of the Kirby Moore era when it hosts Duquesne.
The Cougars have struggled offensively through a rough start to the season. Washington State rushed for 101 yards last week, extending its streak of 100-yard rushing performances to 11 straight games, but the passing game hasn’t gotten going yet. The Cougars have gone consecutive games without a passing touchdown for the first time since 2010. Quarterback Caden Pinnick was held to only 65 passing yards last week as well.
Duquesne should give the Cougars its best opportunity to get the offense going. Duquesne has allowed 104 points through its first two games, including 70 in last week’s loss to Youngstown State. Duquesne is allowing 526.5 yards per game and hasn’t recorded a sack yet this season.
Washington State hasn’t had much to celebrate through its first two games, but this is a major step down in competition after opening against Washington and Kansas State. Saturday gives Pinnick a chance to finally find some rhythm leading the offense.
Prediction: Washington State 45, Duquesne 10
No. 11 BYU (2-0) at Colorado State (2-0)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 4:30 p.m. PT
Network: CBS
Spread: BYU -17.5, O/U 52.5
Preview: Colorado State has been special to start its season, but now the Rams get their first major test of the Jim Mora era when No. 11 BYU comes into Fort Collins.
The Rams are 2-0 for the first time since 2011 and have been the Pac-12’s best offensive team. Quarterback Hauss Hejny has been at the center of it, throwing for 325 yards and four touchdowns while adding 85 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in last week’s 58-24 win over Southern Utah.
Hejny isn’t the only threat on the ground. Running back Mel Brown rushed for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries last week. Colorado State finished the game with 678 yards of total offense and averaged 537 yards per game, the best in the Pac-12.
BYU is a much bigger challenge. The Cougars have only allowed 12 points and 255.5 total yards per game, including only 73 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier has accounted for eight touchdowns through two games, throwing six and rushing for two.
The Rams lead the nation with eight takeaways, including five interceptions. BYU hasn’t turned the ball over yet this season.
This is a tough test for a team that is riding high. BYU will be a real test to see how hot the Rams really are.
Prediction: BYU 31, Colorado State 24
James Madison (2-0) at San Diego State (1-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 7:00 p.m. PT
Network: CW
Spread: San Diego State -1.5, O/U 46.5
Preview: San Diego State returns to Snapdragon Stadium looking to extend its seven-game home winning streak in the first-ever meeting against James Madison.
Defense has been a big reason for the Aztecs’ success at home. San Diego State has allowed seven points or fewer in five of their last seven home games, including two shutouts. The defense traveled last week too, holding UCLA scoreless in the first half, before losing 28-10.
Running back Lucky Sutton is a major part of the Aztecs’ offense. Sutton rushed for 81 yards last week, and he’s particularly productive at home, rushing for 719 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games at Snapdragon since the start of last season.
James Madison comes into this after a ridiculous 87-3 win over Wagner, where the Dukes had 588 yards of offense. James Madison scored three special-teams touchdowns. Michael Scott finished with 303 all-purpose yards and returned two punts for touchdowns, while running backs George Pettaway and Nick Herman combined for five rushing touchdowns.
It’ll be an interesting test for the Aztecs defense that has made life miserable for teams at Snapdragon. If San Diego State can prevent the explosive plays, their defense and Sutton give them a chance to extend the home win streak.
Prediction: San Diego State 24, James Madison 21
South Dakota (3-0) at Boise State (1-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 7:00 p.m. PT
Network: CBSSN
Spread: Boise State -24.5, O/U 55.5
Preview: Boise State comes in after a massive 38-20 win over Memphis and looks to take that momentum against an undefeated South Dakota team.
The Broncos got back to what they do best against Memphis, running the football. Boise State ran for 357 yards, its most since putting up 371 against Georgia Southern in 2024, when Ashton Jeanty was the running back. Dylan Riley emerged last week with 206 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns; meanwhile, Sire Gaines had 93 rushing yards of his own and a touchdown.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen hasn’t thrown an interception yet this season, and he has four passing touchdowns plus a score on the ground that he got last week against Memphis.
South Dakota isn’t an ordinary FCS opponent. The Coyotes are 3-0 and average 501 yards and 46 points per game. Quarterback Austyn Modrzewski has thrown for 727 yards and an FCS-leading 11 touchdowns.
Boise State has won 21 straight games against FCS opponents and seven nonconference home games, all by at least 14 points.
Prediction: Boise State 38, South Dakota 14
Fresno State (1-1) at San Jose State (2-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 8:00 p.m. PT
Network: FS1
Spread: Fresno State -6.5, O/U 50.5
Preview: Fresno State heads to San Jose looking to keep the Valley Trophy for a third straight season.
The Bulldogs looked like a completely different team in their second game of the season compared to week one. Fresno State won 49-3 against Sacramento State with quarterback Jayden Mandal completing 23-of-26 passes for a career-high 316 yards and two touchdowns. Bryson Donelson added 102 rushing yards, while Ezekiel Avit and Josiah Freeman each had 100 receiving yards.
After being shut out by USC, Fresno State found an offensive rhythm. The Bulldogs went from producing zero plays of at least 20 yards to eight against Sacramento State.
San Jose State has its own offensive firepower. Quarterback Luke Weaver has thrown for 788 yards and eight touchdowns in three games, while running back Jabari Bates has rushed for 319 yards, the third-best in the country.
Fresno State has won the last two meetings by a combined 50 points, including a 41-14 win in San Jose last season. The Spartans’ offense has averaged over 400 yards per game, so this matchup could potentially be a tougher test for the Bulldogs.
Prediction: Fresno State 31, San Jose State 24
Montana (3-0) at Oregon State (0-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 8:00 p.m. PT
Network: USA Network
Spread: Oregon State -17.5, O/U 52.5
Preview: Oregon State is winless to start the year, but the Beavers have shown plenty of promise under JaMarcus Shephard and look to continue to show promise against Montana.
Quarterback Braden Atkinson has been extremely productive, throwing for 789 yards through two games. He followed up a 376-yard debut with 413 yards and two touchdowns against Texas Tech, becoming the first Oregon State quarterback with consecutive 300-yard games since 2018.
Atkinson has a great connection with wide receiver Jesse Legree, who leads the nation with 376 receiving yards after exploding for 240 against Texas Tech.
While the passing attack has been excellent, the Beavers have been nonexistent on the ground. The Beavers are averaging only 40 rushing yards per game, which is ranked last in the Pac-12. Getting the run game going could bring Oregon State to the next level.
Linebacker Aiden Sullivan has helped lead the defense with 19 tackles, including 10 against Texas Tech. He’ll now help the Beavers slow down an undefeated Montana team that reached the FCS semifinals last season.
Oregon State has looked impressive, but still has a donut in the win column. This is the Beavers’ chance to get that job done.
Prediction: Oregon State 35, Montana 17
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