Washington State at Utah State - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Washington State Cougars at Utah State Aggies

Utah State logo
Friday, October 9th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Romney Stadium - Logan, UT  (Pac-12)

 
Cougars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirby Moore (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (16 - 24 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.1 - 5.9 (#75)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 3)
USU is playing their 6th straight game
WSU is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Washington State -2.5  (SP+ WSU -7)

Projected Score: WSU: 27 - USU: 24 (51)
WSU Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
WSU Travel: 434 miles, 1 hrs behind
Aggies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bronco Mendenhall (6 - 7)
Avg Score : 31 - 29 (38 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.3 - 6.7 (#83)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 4)
 
Washington State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Washington State at Washington+18
Sat 9/12Washington State at Kansas State+10
Sat 9/19Washington State vs Duquesne-22.5
Sat 9/26Washington State vs Arizona+9
Sat 10/3Washington State vs Fresno State+0.5
Fri 10/9Washington State at Utah State-2.5
Sat 10/17Washington State at Oregon State-8
Sat 10/24Washington State vs Boise State+1.5
Sat 10/31Washington State at San Diego State+8.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14Washington State vs Colorado State-14
Sat 11/21Washington State at Texas State+6.5
Sat 11/28Washington State vs TBD-22.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Washington State's Schedule
Utah State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Utah State vs Idaho State-18
Sat 9/12Utah State at Washington+23
Sat 9/19Utah State at Utah+18
Sat 9/26Utah State vs Troy-5.5
Sat 10/3Utah State at Boise State+11.5
Fri 10/9Utah State vs Washington State+2.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Utah State at Texas State+11.5
Sat 10/31Utah State vs Colorado State-9.5
Sat 11/7Utah State vs Fresno State+5.5
Sat 11/14Utah State at San Diego State+13.5
Sat 11/21Utah State at Oregon State-3
Sat 11/28Utah State vs TBD-18

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Utah State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WSU#92 (.13)42% (73)22.543% (69)2.82 (92)12941% (73)2103.93 (49)#21 (.07)40% (55)20.244% (93)37% (27)3.14 (27)56.11.60.8
USU#47 (.2)41% (91)30.942% (89)2.87 (81)16341% (85)2474.49 (16)#112 (.22)43% (91)28.745% (99)42% (70)3.77 (76)60.20.81.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
USU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WSU Offense1322.516.341.9%3.931.6203401292103.949%50%43%41%16%.13
USU Defense1328.719.543.4%3.771.3 - - - - - 47%52%45%42%13%.22
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WSU Defense1320.223.740.5%3.140.8 - - - - - 51%47%44%37%15%.07
USU Offense1330.938.340.9%4.490.8214101632474.847%52%42%41%16%.2

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Washington State1332:2319.538%71%6.756.11.60.85.22.4029
Utah State1327:1420.635%54%7.660.20.81.34.92.2128.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WSU Offense1349% (76)43% (69)33.5129.53.916 (122).09 (78)2.82 (92)68% (95)9% (61)0.85 (118)
USU Defense1347% (28)45% (99) - - - - .21 (124)3.18 (116)70% (61)7% (127)1.04 (105)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WSU Defense1351% (87)44% (93) - - - - .08 (55)2.97 (80)71% (70)10% (52)0.83 (12)
USU Offense1347% (95)42% (89)34.2162.94.825 (40).19 (31)2.87 (81)71% (75)11% (119)1.16 (9)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WSU Offense1350% (64)41% (73)20.131.3210.46.710.519 (61)15 (108).21 (94)1.4 (122)32% (76)27% (100).15 (123)7% (92)1.9 (117)
USU Defense1352% (111)42% (70) - - - - - - 13 (38).24 (62)1.5 (24)29% (112)33% (114).37 (107)6% (57)1.9 (26)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WSU Defense1347% (47)37% (27) - - - - - - 6.11 (16)1.4 (18)31% (68)23% (7).06 (2)5% (118)1.9 (27)
USU Offense1352% (45)41% (85)18.631246.9813.326 (14)5 (7).24 (70)1.5 (67)33% (98)31% (56).36 (47)5% (28)2.1 (60)

Washington State's Power Ratings
Washington State's Power Rating: -5.36  #101
Washington State's Offense Rating: 11.46  #105
Washington State's Defense Rating: 16.81  #87
2026 Talent Rating: 587.00  #84
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #104
Washington State's 2026 Expected Record: 6.1 - 5.9
Washington State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 3.8  #63
Washington State's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.6  #86
Washington State's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.5  #32

Average Talent
Average Pac-12 Talent Rating is 597.13
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

Power Ratings Matchup
Washington State: -5.36   Utah State: -3.215

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Washington State: 3.8   Utah State: -3.1




Utah State's Power Ratings
Utah State's Power Rating: -3.215  #109
Utah State's Offense Rating: 9.97  #110
Utah State's Defense Rating: 18.30  #103
2026 Talent Rating: 456.00  #112
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #104
Utah State's 2026 Expected Record: 5.3 - 6.7
Utah State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.1  #82
Utah State's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.5  #53
Utah State's Defense SP+ Rating: 31.2  #98

Average Talent
Average Pac-12 Talent Rating is 597.13
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61


Washington State Scoring
Offense: 22.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.3
Defense: 20.2 PPG
Defense on Road: 23.7

Washington State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Washington State 27
Utah State 24


Projected Total Points: 51
Utah State Scoring
Offense: 30.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 38.3
Defense: 28.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.5

Utah State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202512/22Utah State21Washington State34Utah State -1.0Washington State50.0Over
202411/09Washington State49Utah State28Washington State -20.5Washington State69.0Over
202109/04Washington State23Utah State26Washington State -17.5Utah State66.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Utah State112 Overs
Washington State221 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 21 - 21 - 20 - 0
Road Teams2 - 12 - 10 - 02 - 1

(#101) WSU at (#109) USU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWSUUSU
Game ControlGC #30 #80
Momentum ControlMC #47 #114
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #101 #109
SP+SP+ #63 #82
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #84 #112
Blue ChipsBC% #104 #104
Washington State Notes
(3/2) Vibes: Decent, Moore era could bowl year 1
(3/2) QB Dugger vs Pinnick (FCS) both mobile.
(3/2) RB 3 w good exp, avg prod. Vorhees TO issues
(3/2) WR Freeman back, Dees (FCS) also good exp/prod
(3/2) OL is ?, 2 FT starters, 3 PT, all with very ? grades
(3/2) DL better, has decent exp/prod + size. 10 portals
(3/2) DBs CB 2 decent starters, 1 at S of the 8 portals
(2/24) HC K Moore was OC at Mizzu, grew up in Wash.
(2/2) Reset w/ Moore, Rogers 1 yr & out (Iowa St)
(2/2) Roster gutted by portal, 39 out, most starters
Washington State Injury Report
Utah State Notes
(3/2) Vibes: OK, Bronco good HC, has exp to build with
(3/2) Bronco year 2, LY started 3-1, finished 2-6
(3/2) QB Hillstead (BYU) more exp'd than Garcia
(3/2) RB Jacobs (#2 LY) is OK, Vailahi (OK St) added
(3/2) WR top 2 are portals (of 4 adds). Small group
(3/2) OL has 4 decent starters (1 is portal). Good unit
(3/2) DL 8 portals w/ 2 exp'd DE's, 2 avg DT's are back
(3/2) Def has a lot of exp, mix return + portals.
(3/2) CBs have 4 w good exp, Safety has 1. 7 portals
Utah State Injury Report
Washington State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
WSU OffUSU Def
Game ControlGC #30 #81
Momentum ControlMC #54 #108
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #73 #91
ExplosiveExp #133 #65
PPAPPA #92 #112
PowerPwr #105 #103
SP+SP+ #86 #98
Pts POPPO #49 #76
HavocHav #73 #114
Washington State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
WSU OffUSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #69 #99
Run ExplRExp #118 #105
PPAExp #78 #124
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #92 #116
Stuff RateStuff #97 #108
TackleTak - NR
Washington State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
WSU OffUSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #73 #70
Pass ExplPExl #122 #24
PPAExp #94 #62
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #61 #127
DB HavocDB #92 #57
Utah State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatUSU OffWSU Def
Game ControlGC #76 #26
Momentum ControlMC #121 #41
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #91 #55
ExplosiveExp #18 #4
PPAPPA #47 #21
PowerPwr #110 #87
SP+SP+ #53 #32
Pts POPPO #16 #27
HavocHav #87 #98
Utah State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
USU OffWSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #89 #93
Run ExplRExp #9 #12
PPAExp #31 #55
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #81 #80
Stuff RateStuff #91 #79
TackleTak - NR
Utah State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatUSU OffWSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #85 #27
Pass ExplPExl #67 #18
PPAExp #70 #16
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #119 #52
DB HavocDB #28 #118
Program Comparison
USU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

WSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Romney Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Washington State beat Utah State last year (34-21)
Washington State beat Utah State in 2024 (49-28)

  
WSU's OC Matt Miller (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Caden Pinnick (Tr)24034570%320632109.3
Julian Dugger2633%39006.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kirby Vorhees13857654.246
Caden Pinnick (Tr)12543733.527
Maxwell Woods3622506.348
Leo Pulalasi3820505.445
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tony Freeman54588310.948
Jordan Dees (Tr)36508314.135
Trey Leckner2317437.632
Maxwell Woods1814808.233

View Washington State's Full Roster

WSU's DC Trent Bray (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Thomas (Tr)591006
Paul Hutson III (Tr)376330
Nylan Brown (Tr)373030
Khamari Terrell (Tr)333013
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Paul Hutson III (Tr)376330
Linus Zunk (Tr)154340
DJ Warner (Tr)62231
Ben Beatty31100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Thomas (Tr)591006
Jalil Tucker (Tr)251015
Khamari Terrell (Tr)333013

USU's OC Kevin McGiven (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Anthony Garcia6786%794011.3
McCae Hillstead (Tr)4580%33006.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Javen Jacobs6542956.658
Sesi Vailahi (Tr)4215223.614
Noah White259303.720
Anthony Garcia117516.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Robinson (Tr)58599410.346
Javen Jacobs4337938.830
Anthony Garcia20348217.474
Eli Wood (Tr)16205212.838

View Utah State's Full Roster

USU's DC Nick Howell (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brevin Hamblin1103208
Bronson Olevao888463
Carson Tujague714151
Tyree Morris466411
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyree Morris466411
Chris Joe416431
Bronson Olevao888463
Brevin Hamblin1103208
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brevin Hamblin1103208
Bryson Taylor322015
Bronson Olevao888463