Oregon State, Washington State kick off Pac-12

The Pac-12’s return in football begins with conference games on Saturday, Oct. 3, according to the league’s official 2026 schedule. Oregon State and Washington State, which carried the conference through the past two seasons as its only continuing members, are joined this year by Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. (pac-12.com) The conference announced the format on Feb. 11, saying the new eight-team league will play a seven-game round robin across Weeks 5 through 12, after four non-conference weeks to open the season. (pac-12.com) Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould said at the time that the schedule release was “a major milestone” in the league’s launch. (wsucougars.com) Official team schedules show the first conference weekend is spread across Saturday, Oct. 3, with all eight teams in action. Kickoff times and television assignments for several of those games have since been posted by schools and the conference. (pac-12.com) ### When does league play actually start for Oregon State and Washington State? Oregon State opens Pac-12 play on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Colorado State. The Pac-12 schedule page lists that game for 3 p.m. local time in Fort Collins, while Colorado State’s official schedule lists a 4 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff on USA Network. Washington State opens Pac-12 play the same day at home against Fresno State. (pac-12.com) Washington State’s official athletics site lists a 6:30 p.m. PT kickoff at Gesa Field on USA Network. ### Which schools make up the rebuilt Pac-12? The Pac-12 said its eight football members for 2026 are Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. (wsucougars.com) The league said that alignment officially kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 5, with non-conference play before the round-robin conference schedule begins in October. (pac-12.com) Oregon State’s schedule page lists home conference games against San Diego State, Washington State, Texas State and Utah State. Washington State’s schedule page lists home league games against Fresno State, Boise State and Colorado State, with Oregon State in the projected flex week. (wsucougars.com) ### What is the format for the first season back? The Pac-12 said each team will play every other football member once in a seven-game conference slate. The league also said every team will have one bye during that stretch from Oct. 3 through Nov. 21. The conference said Nov. 28 will be a home-and-home flex week that does not count in the standings. (pac-12.com) Projected matchups released in February included Oregon State at Washington State, Boise State at Utah State, Texas State at Colorado State and San Diego State at Fresno State, though the league reserved the right to change those games based on “the best interests of the league,” including College Football Playoff considerations. (osubeavers.com) ### Where can fans find kickoff times and TV assignments? Washington State posted kickoff times for most of its 2026 schedule on May 27, including the Oct. 3 Fresno State game and the Oct. 17 trip to Oregon State. Oregon State’s Pac-12 schedule page also lists times for each confirmed game, including the Oct. 17 home meeting with Washington State at 3 p.m. (pac-12.com) Colorado State’s official schedule page lists its Oct. 3 home opener in league play against Oregon State on USA Network. The Pac-12 said its broader media package includes CBS Sports, USA Network and The CW, with the championship game set for CBS and Paramount+. (pac-12.com) ### What comes after opening weekend? The Pac-12 said the 2026 championship game will be played Friday, Dec. 4, at the home venue of the highest seed after conference play ends on Nov. 21. Oregon State’s and Washington State’s official schedule pages both list Nov. 28 as flex week and Dec. 4 as the conference title date. (osubeavers.com) (csurams.com) (wsucougars.com)