u/Important_Air_7467

If you need to reference it: https://pac-12.com/news/2026/2/9/general-the-new-pac-12-announces-its-2026-football-schedule.aspx

I think a lot might say Washington State because they play 3 true Power 4 conference opponents, but while they are going to be tough opponents (@ Washington, @ K-State, Arizona), I’d argue the opponents for Boise definitely is, or even Oregon St may be tougher.

Boise: @ Oregon (CFP contender), Memphis (AAC Champ Contender), @ Western Michigan (Mac Champ Contender), South Dakota (Last 2 years made the FCS Finals, and Quarter-Finals)

Oregon State: @ Houston (Big 12 Championship Game Dark Horse Contender), Texas Tech (CFP Contender), Montana Griz (Last 5 years made FCS Finals, Semi-Finals, and Quarter-Finals)

Anyone think another team has a tougher non conference schedule?

Just double checked thinking it was gonna look pretty bleak, but was very surprised.

5 schools are already R1 research universities as some may already know. But it’s where 3 R2 schools are that is interesting

Texas State: Technically they already have achieved all of the requirements for R1 classification. Their expenditures FAR exceed the minimum requirements, almost triple, for 2023 and 2024 (Couldn’t find anything about 2025 or later) And in 2024 was the first year they exceeded the 70 doctoral degree requirement with 71. Not sure how long they have to sustain it for it to become “official” but they are there. Apparently the school expects it to happen by 2027!
Boise State: Still an R2, but they are close. They also exceed the minimum expenditures, but do fall short by the number of doctorates. if my sloppy web search is correct, they are about 17 short of the 70 minimum. Seems completely possible in a reasonable window (Out of my ass, 2030?)
Fresno State: They are further from R1 of the conference. Short in both expenditures and doctorates, they appear to be about 45 doctorates away (more than half) and about 25 million in expenditures away, or half) Also from what I read it doesn’t seem like this is something they are actively working towards to the same degree as Texas State or Boise.

so 7/9 schools in the near future ain’t bad! A very high percentage all things considering.

Which PAC 12 football team has the hardest non-conference schedule this year in your opinion?