San Jose State enters the 2026 campaign under a cloud of uncertainty, as the Mountain West Conference undergoes its most dramatic reshuffle in years.
Rebuilding the Roster
The Spartans finished last season at 3-9 and were left out of the preseason All-Mountain West team, a snub that has set modest expectations among analysts.
Head coach Ken Niumatalolo has announced an open competition for the starting quarterback spot, inviting Luke Weaver, Daniel Rolovich and Robert McDaniel to battle for the role.
At receiver, the team will miss Danny Scudero, who transferred to Colorado after dominating the 2025 season, but emerging talents Anthony Ivey and Malachi Riley are expected to shoulder the load.
The schedule opens with a high-profile matchup against USC on August 29, followed by early tests against Eastern Michigan and Cal Poly before a home game versus Fresno State on September 19.
Conference play begins on October 3 at Hawaii, and the regular season will close on November 27 with a home game against North Dakota State, the defending FCS powerhouse making the jump to FBS.
External projections place San Jose State fifth in the SB Nation Mountain West Connection poll and eighth in the ESPN Mountain West Power Index, reflecting the skepticism surrounding the squad.
Coach Niumatalolo says the team carries a chip on its shoulder, eager to prove the doubters wrong as they navigate a roster in flux.
Conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez has expressed confidence that the new mix of coaches and players will deliver competitive football, highlighting the talent and experience across the league.