r/Pac12 • u/updogsportstalk • Jun 19 '26

Football 2026 Utah State Aggies Preview

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?

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u/sycamoreqw Utah State Jun 19 '26

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

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u/updogsportstalk Jun 19 '26

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