While living up to its moniker, “after dark,” the Pac-12 unveiled Fresno State’s first football schedule in the revived conference on Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs will start their conference slate on the road on Oct. 3 against Washington State. Valley Children’s Stadium will then host its first Pac-12 conference game against Boise State on Oct. 10.
It’s set‼️🏈@pac12pic.twitter.com/dBHOYdXEq3
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) February 12, 2026
The Pac-12 conference championship is scheduled for Dec. 4 and will be played at the home field of the highest seed after week 12.
Here’s how our 2026 football schedule works ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/LBXpqE1mQE
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) February 12, 2026
The new schedule also offers Pac-12 members a first-of-its-kind “flex game” during Week 13. That’s traditionally known as “rivalry week” for college football.
How the flex game works
If Fresno State were hypothetically in first place with a week to go, instead of playing the game they had scheduled for week 13, the conference would flex in a tougher conference opponent but it would not count toward the conference standings.
Those matchups will not be confirmed until six days prior but we do know that Fresno State will host a flex game in 2026. The Pac-12 projects the Bulldogs to take on San Diego State during week 13.
The intent is to give the best Pac-12 team a chance at earning a bid to the college football playoff by improving its strength of schedule.
The ‘Dogs 2026 season starts at USC on Sept. 5 before its home opener with Sacramento State on Sept. 12.
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