Colorado State at Washington

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025

Colorado State has been climbing under Jay Norvell, and Year Four brings a chance to show the Rams are more than middle-tier filler. For a Pac-12 desperate to prove depth, CSU landing punches in Seattle would mean something.

Norvell is now the league’s “dean” of coaches, and this roster is deeper than the one that finally won eight games last fall. NIL money is flowing, belief is growing.

The problem? Washington in Week 1. That’s a buzzsaw. The Rams don’t need to win — but they need to swing, connect, and make the Huskies sweat. Covering 19.5 would do the trick.

Idaho at Washington State

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025

New staff. New quarterback. And a sneaky big test right away. Washington State opens with Idaho, a neighbor that used to be an FBS punchline but has since become an FCS heavyweight. The Vandals win now, and they’ll bring confidence — and a convoy from Moscow — to Pullman.

For Idaho, it’s a measuring stick. For Wazzu, it’s something more. A program staking its Pac-12 future cannot afford to trip against an FCS rival.

The Cougs should have the edge. But with a rebuilt staff and a first-time starter at quarterback, every snap will be judged. Handle Idaho, and Wazzu buys some good vibes. Struggle, and the questions start fast.

Eastern Michigan at Texas State

Texas State enters the season as one of the league’s great curiosities. Who the hell are these guys, and how did they get here? Last year’s explosive offense turned heads, powered the Bobcats to a bowl, and gave San Marcos a taste of relevance. Now comes the harder part — proving it wasn’t a one-year flash.

The first look comes against Eastern Michigan. It’s not a glamour opener, but it is a measuring stick. Blow past the Eagles, and the Bobcats keep their momentum humming. Stumble, and the hype train derails fast.

UTEP at Utah State

Bronco Mendenhall is back, and that alone makes Utah State one of the league’s most intriguing storylines. The veteran coach takes over in Logan with a reputation for toughness and culture-building, and Aggie fans are eager to see how quickly his imprint shows.

The opener against UTEP isn’t headline material, but it is a test. The Miners are beatable, yet dangerous enough to punish mistakes. For Utah State, the assignment is simple: look organized, look physical, and look like a team ready to turn a page. Do that, and Mendenhall’s rebuild starts with credibility. Slip, and doubts creep in early.

Stony Brook at SDSU

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

The Sean Lewis era kicks off at San Diego State, and all eyes are on tempo. Long defined by defense and special teams, the Aztecs are betting big that Lewis’ fast-paced offense can finally bring some juice to Snapdragon.

Stony Brook provides a soft landing, but that doesn’t mean the stakes are low. Aztec fans want to see fireworks, rhythm, and a glimpse of what this program can become under Lewis. Grind out another 17–10 slog, and the old frustrations linger. Light up the scoreboard, and the buzz builds fast.

Georgia Southern at Fresno State

Fresno State doesn’t usually play must-wins in September, but here we are. The Bulldogs stumbled at Kansas in Week 0, and now Georgia Southern comes to town in what feels like a critical reset opportunity.

The schedule doesn’t ease up, a trip to Corvallis looms next week against future Pac-12 rival Oregon State. That makes Saturday night at home about more than just avoiding an 0–2 start. Fresno State needs to find rhythm on offense, settle in defensively, and show it still belongs in the upper tier of the G6. Handle Georgia Southern, and the season steadies. Lose again, and the spiral gets real, real fast.