College football: May 28, 2026

Three Vandal football games to be broadcast on ESPN networks

Idaho football announced the broadcast of three linear ESPN network games and their kick-off times, as part of a wider release of game times from the Worldwide Leader in Sports. 

Idaho's Aug. 28 season opener at Cal Poly and marquee Oct. 2 matchup against the reigning FCS national champion Montana State Bobcats were selected for Friday night slots on ESPN, thanks to the Big Sky's broadcast deal with the network.

The Vandals' visit to San Luis Obispo will kick at 8 p.m. PT. It will be the second regular-season game for Idaho on ESPN proper in program history. Additionally, UI's showdown with the Bobcats, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, is now set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. PT, also on ESPN. 

The Vandals' second game of the season, a Thursday night trip to Salt Lake City to face the Big 12's Utah Utes, will kick off at 6 p.m. PT on ESPNU. 

Idaho's three regular-season games on a linear ESPN network in 2026 are the most since 2009.

Idaho has had six Big Sky contests selected for nationwide viewing since 2023, the most of any team in the conference.

The Vandals' Oct. 2 clash with Montana State will be their first Friday night game at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome since Nov. 12, 2010, versus Boise State, and the first non-Saturday regular season game at home since Aug. 31, 2017, against Sacramento State. 

2026 IDAHO FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

(All games are on Saturdays unless specified otherwise. All times Pacific)

Friday, Aug. 28: at Cal Poly, 7 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Sept. 3: at Utah, 6 p.m., ESPNU

Sept. 12: vs. Lamar, TBA

Sept. 19: vs. Abilene Christian, TBA

Friday, Oct. 2: vs. Montana State, 7:30, ESPN

Oct. 10: at Weber State, TBA

Oct. 17: at Montana, TBA

Oct. 24: vs. Southern Utah, TBA

Oct. 31: at Portland State, TBA

Nov. 7: vs. Eastern Washington, TBA

Nov. 14: vs. UC Davis, TBA

Nov. 21: at Idaho State, TBA

Record-high five Big Sky football games scheduled for ESPN linear networks this fall

FARMINGTON, Utah — For the first time in league history, five regular-season Big Sky football conference games have been selected for national linear distribution by ESPN’s family of networks. 

The five matchups selected by ESPN will feature eight Big Sky schools, with Cal Poly, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, and UC Davis getting the national spotlight this fall.

The full national TV schedule Includes (times PT):

Friday, Aug. 28: Idaho at Cal Poly (7 p.m./ESPN)

Saturday, Sept. 26: Northern Arizona at Montana State (7:30 p.m./ESPN2)

Friday, Oct. 2: Montana State at Idaho (7:30 p.m./ESPN)

Saturday, Oct. 3: Eastern Washington at UC Davis (7:30 p.m./ESPN2)

Saturday, Nov. 14: Idaho State at Montana (7:30 p.m./ESPN network TBD) 

Among the five game selections, the Week 0 contest between Idaho and Cal Poly (Aug. 28) will be the earliest conference game ever to be featured on ESPN. 

A full release of network designations and kickoff times for all Big Sky Conference football games will be announced at a later date. 

Washington State to open 

with Huskies on Sept. 6

PULLMAN, Wash. – The Pac-12 Conference released kickoff times and television selections for the majority of Washington's State's 2026 football games, it was announced Wednesday.
The Cougars will open the season at Washington in a game that has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 5, to Sunday, Sept. 6, and will be televised by NBC at 1 p.m. The following week, Sept. 12, the Cougs travel to Kansas State for a 9 a.m. PT kick televised on TNT/HBO Max.
Washington State's home opening, Saturday, Sept. 19 against Duquesne, is set for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on USA Network. The following week, Sept. 26, WSU will host Arizona at 4:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on CBS.
The Cougars will open Pac-12 play Saturday, Oct. 3, hosting Fresno State at Gesa Field on USA Network, with a kick time scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The following week's game at Utah State has also been moved off its original Saturday date and will now be played Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. PT and will be televised on The CW Network.
WSU remains on the road the following week at Oregon State, Oct. 17, with a kick time of 3 p.m. and televised on USA Network. The Cougars return home for a Homecoming Game against Boise State, Oct. 24, televised on USA Network with a start time of 3 p.m., followed by an Oct. 31 matchup at San Diego State, scheduled for a 4 p.m. start on CBS Sports Network.

WASHINGTON STATE FOOTBALL

Sunday, Sept. 6: Washington State at Washington, 1 p.m. (KHQ)

Saturday, Sept. 12: Washington State at Kansas State, 9 a.m. (TNT/HBO MAX)

Saturday, Sept. 19: Duquesne at Washington State, 12:30 p.m. (USA)

Saturday, Sept. 26: Arizona at Washington State, 4:30 p.m. (KREM)

Saturday, Oct. 3: Fresno State at Washington State, 6:30 p.m. (USA)

Friday, Oct. 9: Washington State at Utah State, 6 p.m. (CW)

Saturday, Oct. 17: Washington State at Oregon State, 3 p.m. (USA)

Saturday, Oct. 24: Boise State at Washington State, 3 p.m. (USA)

Saturday, Oct. 31: Washington State at San Diego State, 4 p.m. (CBSSN)

Saturday, Nov. 14: Colorado State at Washington State, 7:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

Saturday, Nov. 21: Washington State at Texas State, 3 p.m. (USA)

Saturday, Nov. 28: Oregon State at Washington State (tentative flex week), TBA, TBD

Friday, Dec. 4: Pac-12 Championship Game, TBA, 5 p.m. (KREM)