Previewing the Top 2026 Week 3 Pac-12 Football Games

Utah State at No. 17 Utah

Saturday, September 19
12:30 PM PT, FOX

This matchup could be pretty tough for Utah State, but the defense held serve against Washington last week, and the Huskies were looking to score.

The key for the Aggies is to find offensive cohesion early in the game. USU’s defense is better than people realize, but they’ll need to score at least 24 points to keep things interesting.

Utah State is still looking to find their way without Bryson Barnes, but Grady Brosterhous adds an intriguing element to the offense.

Brosterhous carried the ball 21 times against the Dawgs for 81 yards. He’s not a great quarterback yet; he threw three interceptions against UW, but the combination of Javen Jacobs and him gives defenses something to think about.

And if Morgan Scalley knows what you’re doing, you’re borked.

Javon Robinson also has two 100-yard receiving games in his last four dating back to 2025. Utah is more than a defense, however; Devon Dampier is a veteran at this point. And Wayshawn Parker’s showing improvement each year in Salt Lake City.

Noah Bennee is also proving to be a revelation for the Utes. Utah State will probably get run through, but Bronco Mendenhall is more experienced than Scalley.

No. 11 BYU at Colorado State

Saturday, September 19
4:30 PM PT, CBS

Look at the top of the Pac-12 standings; it feels like Boise State should be there, but it’s Colorado State.

The Rams’ 2-0 start is a bit unexpected, but if they beat BYU, they’re the bee’s knees.

The CBS game will also give them a chance to shine on the national stage.

The key for CSU in this matchup is finding ways to counter the physicality of the Cougars. The Cougs hold the edge on defense, pretty much everywhere.

But the line has to give Hauss Hejny a chance at the minimum. If Hejny has enough time to make some plays, they could capitalize against BYU’s hurt defense.

The Cougars are without Siale Esera, Sione Moa, and Raider Damuni for this contest.

Crossing the border, if Colorado State can hold their milk against BYU’s wideouts, they could hang around in this contest. Legend Glasker’s off to a quick start for the Cougars, but he’s unproven in big moments as him.

Bear Bachmeier also needs to be careful over the middle. Oumar Diomande is ballin’ in the early season; Diomande has 16 tackles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery in their opening two matchups.

The Cougs are the better team here, but the holes on their roster could be exposed given the state of affairs.

James Madison at San Diego State

Saturday, September 19
7:00 PM PT, The CW

This is a game the Pac-12 must win. The conference pretty much lost all of its non-conference matchups against Power Four opponents. If the perceived second-best team in the Pac loses to James Madison, it’s a troubling look.

Especially considering the Dukes are traveling across the country, and their body clock will be at 10 pm.

This game should also prove a good indicator of where the Aztecs really stand. If they blow out the Dukes, they could at least be considered the second-best team in the Pac-12.

The key to this matchup and SDSU’s season going forward is the play of Jayden Denegal.

Denegal came in with a lot of hype, but hasn’t yet proven himself at the position. He benefited from an elite defense last year, but SDSU lost 12 out of their top 14 tacklers, including their two best players.

That’s a nice way of saying that going 6-for-17 with 45 yards, a touchdown, and one interception won’t get it done.

Lucky Sutton played well against UCLA, but that’s about it. SDSU’s top receiver only finished with 19 yards.

JMU is still in a transitional state since Bob Chesney left. The Aztecs found out about Chesney last week.

But if San Diego can’t win this, the Sean Lewis rebuild is still just that.

Fresno State at San Jose State

Saturday, September 19
8:00 PM PT, FS1

The Bulldogs are where they’re supposed to be. Even though the loss to USC was repulsive, one loss is still one loss.

This matchup is when we find out what level they’re really on.

If the Pac-12 wants to be considered the top Group of Six conference, these are the matchups the Bulldogs gotta start winning. Fresno rolled against Sacramento State, and they’ll need to continue their offensive productivity in this rivalry matchup.

Jayden Mandal played well against the Hornets, and he must do the same against a San Jose State team that lacks playmakers on defense.

Mandal threw for 316 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions against Sac State. He also completed 88 percent of his passes.

With Bryson Donelson and Rayshon Luke proving the focal point of most defensive game plans, Mandal could capitalize using play action. Ezekiel Avit and Josiah Freeman each had over 100 receiving yards last week.

Flipping the valley, the defense should hold the advantage over a Spartans offense that’s getting better quickly. Luke Weaver  is ripping defenses, and Jabari Bates, Cooper Hoch, and Carson Clark form a nice cavalry around him.

This contest has a lot of idiosyncrasies, but only one result is acceptable.