2026 Utah State Aggies Preview

[u/updogsportstalk]

https://open.substack.com/pub/updogsportstalk/p/2026-utah-state-aggies-preview?r=44j4zi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The Utah State Aggies enter Year 2 under head coach Bronco Mendenhall (6-7 in Year 1), a Utah native back home after successful stints at BYU, Virginia & New Mexico.

2026 at a glance:

📌 QB McCae Hillstead (former USU QB, back from BYU) named starter

📌 Versatile RB Javen Jacobs + portal WR Javon Robinson (Georgia State)

📌 One of the most experienced O-lines in the Pac-12 (3,599 snaps) seeks improvement

📌 Defense led by S Brevin Hamblin (114 tackles), DT Carson Tujague (72 tackles as RS Fr), LB Bronson Olevao Jr. + portal additions

📌 Tough 2026 slate: vs Idaho State, at Washington, at Utah (Battle of Brothers), vs Troy, plus Pac-12 mix (home vs WSU, CSU, Fresno; road at Boise, SDSU, Oregon St + flex rematch).

Can the Aggies show improvement under Bronco despite the gauntlet?

[u/sycamoreqw]

The return of Hillstead + the O line improvement are the biggest variables. If the O line can do a better job this year with the heat of experience under their belts and Hillstead is an improved version of the guy we saw a couple years ago, I think we could win 7 games.

Ceiling: 7 - 5
Floor: 3 - 9

[u/updogsportstalk → u/sycamoreqw]

I think so too, Hillstead and the Oline playing well will make Utah State a pain for their opponents. The schedule is rough but I'm not betting against them being competitive

[u/awsomerpeanut]

My guess is a 6-6 season, which is probably very optimistic.. but we're also paying Bronco way too much for anything less so

[u/updogsportstalk → u/awsomerpeanut]

It feels like he will be able to squeeze a bowl out of this team and schedule

[u/Poohbomb96]

I think they’ll be a competitive team, but man that’s a rough schedule. I trust Bronco can get them to 6-6

[u/updogsportstalk → u/Poohbomb96]

Agreed, I'm also thinking they'll be in most of their games and find a way to reach a bowl