2026 Pac-12 Week 4 Game Previews: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds, Predictions
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Colorado State (2-1) at UTSA (2-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 9:00 a.m. PT
Network: ESPNU
Spread: UTSA -13.5, O/U 57.5
Preview: Colorado State enters San Antonio with some uncertainty at quarterback after Hauss Hejny left last week’s 41-23 loss to BYU with a hamstring injury. Before the injury, Hejny had thrown 10 touchdowns to just one interception through the first three games of the season.
If Hejny can’t play, the Rams will have to turn to either K’saan Farrar or Darius Curry. The two combined to go 19-of-31 for 140 yards in relief last week, with Curry leading two fourth-quarter touchdown drives after Farrar also went down.
No matter who the quarterback is, the Rams have shown they have an explosive offense. The Rams have six scrimmage plays of at least 50 yards, tied for the most in the FBS. Running back Mel Brown has two runs of 70-plus yards as well.
The defense has been just as dangerous at creating game-changing plays, forcing 10 turnovers through three games. Cornerback CJ Blocker has a pick in every game, helping Colorado State build a +8 turnover margin.
That will be important against a UTSA offense coming off its worst offensive performance of the season, though it was against No. 1-ranked Texas in a 30-6 loss. Quarterback Owen McCown has 559 passing yards and four touchdowns, and running back Will Henderson III is averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
It’s going to be a competitive game, and I think the oddsmakers are being a bit unfair to the Rams.
Prediction: Colorado State 31, UTSA 24
San Diego State (1-2) at Toledo (2-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 9:00 a.m. PT
Network: CBSSN
Spread: Toledo -2.5, O/U 51.5
Preview: The Aztecs will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they travel to Toledo for its third straight season with a road game against a MAC opponent.
Despite losing 26-13 to James Madison last week, the Aztecs showed some life after halftime. San Diego State outgained the Dukes 238-136 in the second half, while quarterback Jayden Denegal completed 14-of-21 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown after struggling in the first half.
The Aztecs will need the second-half version of Denegal against a Toledo team that is coming off a wild overtime win over Temple. Quarterback John Alan Richter threw for a career-high 429 yards and four touchdowns, helping Toledo erase a 14-point deficit in the final 65 seconds of the game.
San Diego State linebacker Sione Hala could play a big role in slowing them down. Hala recorded 10 tackles and his first sack as an Aztec against James Madison. He leads the Pac-12 with 29 tackles.
The Rockets have won eight straight games at home by an average of 35.4 points, so it’ll be a difficult place for the Aztecs to get back on track. If the Aztecs can build off their second-half performance against James Madison, they should have a chance
Prediction: San Diego State 27, Toledo 23
Boise State (2-1) at Western Michigan (2-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 12:30 p.m. PT
Network: ESPN2
Spread: Boise State -7.5, O/U 49.5
Preview: Boise State hits the road looking for its third straight win after its offense exploded for more than 500 yards in each of the last two weeks.
The Broncos have done extensive damage on the ground, rushing for 325 yards against South Dakota after putting up 357 against Memphis. Dylan Riley has been at the center of the dominance, rushing for 198 yards last week after a 206-yard performance against Memphis. Sire Gaines added 102 yards against South Dakota, giving Boise State multiple 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since 2024.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen has thrown six touchdowns without an interception through three games. He has found at least seven different receivers in each game this season.
Western Michigan is a tough test. The Broncos have allowed just 16 points per game, so it’s an explosive offense versus a stout defense.
The Broncos’ defense can’t be ignored, though. Boise State has held opponents to just eight conversions on 38 combined third and fourth down attempts.
If Riley and Gaines keep running the ball the way they have, the Broncos should walk out with a victory.
Prediction: Boise State 30, Western Michigan 21
Incarnate Word (2-1) at Texas State (1-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 3:00 p.m. PT
Network: USA Network
Spread: Texas State -30.5, O/U 64.5
Preview: Texas State finally got its offense rolling last week, and the Bobcats look to carry that momentum into a matchup against Incarnate Word.
The Bobcats exploded for 605 yards of offense in a 49-35 win over North Texas, including 337 on the ground. Quarterback Brad Jackson also had his best game of the season, throwing for 268 yards and tying a career high with four touchdown passes.
Wide Receiver Chris Dawn Jr. was the biggest weapon for Jackson, catching four passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The Bobcats have plenty of ways to attack offensively, but they’ll face a defense that allows just 289.3 yards per game.
Incarnate Word puts up points themselves. The Cardinals rank third in the FCS at 44.7 points per game and fifth with 507.3 yards per game. Quarterback Emmett Brown has thrown for 812 yards through three games.
These two programs also have history. Incarnate Ward stunned Texas State in 2021, led by Cam Ward, for a 42-34 victory.
Texas State is a massive favorite, and the offense looks like a well-oiled machine.
Prediction: Texas State 48, Incarnate Ward 21
Troy (2-1) at Utah State (0-3)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 4:30 p.m. PT
Network: CBSSN
Spread: Utah State -3.5, O/U 47.5
Preview: Utah State is still searching for its first win of the season, but after back-to-back games against ranked opponents, the Aggies return to Logan for a manageable matchup against Troy.
The Aggies offense hasn’t been up to par, averaging just 10.3 points and 288.7 yards per game. They were just shut out by Utah last week and only had 188 yards of offense. Turnovers have also been a problem, with eight interceptions so far this year, compared to just five from last season.
Eli Wood has been one of the few consistent pieces offensively. Wood leads the Aggies in receiving in all three games and enters Saturday with 16 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense has given the Aggies a chance to stay competitive. The Aggies rank second in the Pac-12 in total defense at 359 yards allowed per game and recorded a season-high seven tackles for loss against Utah.
The unit will face Troy quarterback Goose Crowder, who has thrown for 596 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception. Running back Jaheim Merriweather has added 193 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Both teams are coming off losses against ranked opponents. Saturday gives the Aggies a chance to see what they have, and if they can take care of the football and give the defense some help, there might not be a donut in the win column for much longer.
Prediction: Utah State 24, Troy 20
Arizona (2-1) at Washington State (1-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 4:30 p.m. PT
Network: CBS
Spread: Arizona -10.5, O/U 48.5
Preview: Washington State got its first win last week, convincingly beating Duquesne 48-7 in Kirby Moore’s first win as head coach.
The rushing attack for the Cougars was prominent in that victory. Washington State ran for 316 yards, their most in a game since 2006, with Maxwell Woods rushing for 116 yards on 11 carries and Kirby Vorhees adding 109 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. It was the first time Washington State had multiple 100-yard rushers in the same game since 2005.
Quarterback Caden Pinnick also had his best game as a Cougar, completing 17-of-22 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. The question that remains is how much of that offensive production can translate against Arizona.
Arizona is led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who has 834 passing yards and seven touchdowns, but the Wildcats have virtually no running game, only rushing for 123 yards a game.
It’s a big test for the Cougars, but it’s the first matchup against its former Pac-12 opponent since 2023, so revenge is on the mind.
Prediction: Arizona 31, Washington State 23
Oregon State (1-2) at UTEP (1-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 6:00 p.m. PT
Network: Mountain West Network
Spread: Oregon State -10.5, O/U 55.5
Preview: Oregon State finally broke through last week for its first victory, scoring 52 points against Montana to give JaMarcus Shephard his first win as head coach.
Quarterback Braden Atkinson has been one of the most productive passers in college football through three weeks. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in every game, including 333 yards and five touchdowns against Montana. His 1,122 passing yards are second-best in the country, while the Beavers lead the Pac-12 with 386.3 passing yards per game.
Atkinson’s biggest weapon has been Jesse Legree. The freshman has been remarkable. Legree leads the nation in receiving yards with 476, averaging 28 yards per reception.
UTEP is 1-2, and after already facing two ranked opponents on the road, this is a better litmus test for the Miners. Slowing down the dominant Beavers offense, though, is a tough challenge.
After opening with Houston and Texas Tech before finally getting a win, this is an opportunity for Oregon State to show that last week won’t be their only breakout.
Prediction: Oregon State 38, UTEP 24
Rice (1-2) at Fresno State (2-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 7:00 p.m. PT
Network: CW
Spread: Fresno State -13.5, O/U 44.5
Preview: Fresno State returns home looking for its third straight win after holding San Jose State to just 10 points last week.
The defense was the story of that game and the previous game. The Bulldogs have allowed only 13 combined points against Sacramento State and San Jose State. That unit will face a different challenge. Rice relies more on the ground game, averaging 243.7 rushing yards per game, compared to just 73.3 through the air.
Quarterback Jacurri Brown is a major part of that rushing attack for the Owls. Brown ran for 128 yards against Western Michigan last week and leads Rice with 258 rushing yards. Rice has five different players who have recorded a 100-yard rushing game since the start of last season.
Fresno State has found some offensive consistency as well. Josiah Freeman has combined for 12 catches and 195 yards over the last two games, and Bryson Donelson has rushed for 159 yards and four touchdowns in the same time span.
Rice hasn’t won a game in California since 1958. If Fresno State forces Rice away from its rushing identity, the Bulldogs should have a good opportunity to extend the winning streak.
Prediction: Fresno State 27, Rice 13
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