Utah State University (USU) will open its 2026 football season on the road, traveling to Seattle to meet No. 17 Washington at Husky Stadium on September 12 at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time, marking the Aggies’ inaugural contest in the Pac‑12 Conference.
The matchup continues a long‑standing rivalry, as Washington has defeated Utah State in each of their three previous encounters, the most recent a 31‑17 victory in 2015, and every meeting has taken place in Seattle.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall, whose career record stands at 146‑96 and who has guided 17 of his 19 teams to bowl eligibility, will oversee a roster that returns nine starters and 23 lettermen while integrating 35 four‑year transfers, 30 high school signees and two junior‑college newcomers.
The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, with play‑by‑play announcer A.J. Kanell joined by analysts Marcel Reece and Alyssa Charleston, providing a national audience for the historic debut.
Statistically, Utah State holds a 0‑3 record against Washington and a 0‑3 mark in all road games against current Big Ten members, while the program has recently improved, winning five of its last 23 games, including a 46‑13 triumph over No. 19 San Diego State in 2021.
A New Era for the Aggies
The transition into the Pac‑12 represents a watershed moment for Utah State, moving from the Mountain West to a conference that routinely features top‑tier competition and national television exposure.
Mendenhall’s emphasis on adding experienced transfers reflects a strategic push to accelerate the program’s competitiveness, as the influx of 651 career games and 273 starts among the newcomers brings a depth of experience rarely seen at the program’s level.
Fans and analysts alike anticipate how the Aggies will adapt to the faster pace and higher caliber of play that defines Pac‑12 football, especially as they prepare to test themselves against a Washington squad that has consistently ranked among the nation’s elite.