Boise State to host underrated Utah State in first Pac-12 game

The Aggies return nine starters and could be one of the biggest wild cards in the new-look Pac-12

Utah State Aggies head coach Bronco Mendenhall. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After wrapping up nonconference play with a tricky road trip to MAC preseason favorite Western Michigan, Boise State will host a familiar opponent in its first Pac-12 game. 

Utah State and second-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall are one of the biggest wild cards in Year 1 of the new Pac-12.

Mendenhall guided the Aggies to a 6-7 overall record and a bowl game appearance last season, including a road upset of Fresno State in late November. Six days after stunning the Bulldogs, Utah State coughed up an 11-point second-half lead at home in a 25-24 loss to Boise State. 

The Aggies lost several key players to graduation and the transfer portal but return nine starters from last year’s team. 

Boise State will be a heavy favorite on The Blue, but a Mendenhall-coached team is always dangerous. 

Game 5: Utah State at Boise State 

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3

Kickoff time: 5:30 p.m. Mountain time

Location: Albertsons Stadium | Boise, Idaho

TV/Streaming: CBS Sports Network 

Utah State offense preview

If the Aggies had held on against Boise State, quarterback Bryson Barnes likely would’ve won Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. Barnes threw for 2,803 yards and 18 touchdowns with just five interceptions while running for 740 yards and 10 scores in his final college season. 

McCae Hillstead will take over for Barnes behind center. Hillstead made four starts for Utah State as a true freshman in 2023, transferred to BYU for two seasons and is back with the Aggies this fall. Hillstead isn’t as athletic as Barnes, but he has made 13 appearances at the Division I level. 

The Aggies also have a first-year offensive coordinator in Robert Anae and a rebuilt wide receiver room filled with promising transfer portal additions LJ Johnson (Texas State), Javon Robinson and Eli Wood (Virginia). 

Javen Jacobs is back at running back and the offensive line returns three starters from a unit that largely struggled in 2025. 

Utah State defense preview 

The Aggies’ defense has nowhere to go but up after ranking 129th nationally in total defense last season at 440.1 yards allowed per game.

Utah State attempted to address the issues in the transfer portal, signing 10 defensive linemen, two linebackers and seven defensive backs.  

Tyree Morris and Carson Tujague are experienced returnees up front who produced at a high level in 2025. Cornerback D’Angelo Mayes and safety Brevin Hamblin are also back, and returning linebacker Bronson Olevao could lead the team in tackles. 

The Aggies are unlikely to be a stout defensive outfit this fall, but Mendenhall’s teams typically play sound defense. Expect Utah State to hold up better against the run and pass in 2026.