There isn’t anything much more exciting for us in the college football off-season than schedule releases. Some people get giddy for transfer portal signings, coaching carousel conjecture and all that. We just love to know where and when we are playing.
Add in the kick-times for television and get out the way, we are fired up.
Wednesday afternoon the 2026 SDSU Football Schedule Kick-off times were released—along with the rest of the PAC-12 and our cup runneth over.
The Way God Intended it to Be
Friday’s are for high school – Saturdays are for college – Sunday are for NFL.
First thing to take notice on the schedule for the Aztecs is that not one game is played (so far) on a Friday. Not until the end of the year for the Pac-12 Championship will you find SDSU strapping on the helmet under Friday night lights. That is a big deal to us.
Saturdays are meant for tailgating. Gathering up friends and meeting up down at the stadium to catch up, blow off some steam, and build an entire weekend in the fall around.
For those that like to travel to road games like us, accelerating your itinerary with taking off work and flying to the destination for a Friday game stinks. That night is crucial for taking in the nightlife and prepping for the next day’s battle.
For the football program and staff however, that extra day to rest, prepare and travel in some cases is crucial. In San Diego high school football is special. Allowing SDSU staff to get out and visibly recruit also an added incentive.
Good Riddance
Okay we lied. The first thing you’re really going to notice about this season’s finalized schedule—no Mountain West teams! No more trips to Laramie, Silicon Valley, or the ABQ for this Aztecs fan. Which really aren’t all that terrible if we’re keeping it a buck.
But the real joy is perfectly encapsulated by Mr. Jon Voice of the Aztecs Schaeffer when he posted how all Pac-12 home games will be on linear TV networks. Meanwhile 22 Mountain West games are not only streaming but behind a paywall on top of that.
Game By Game
vs Portland State Kickoff: September 5, 6:30pm PST – USA Network
In the opening week SDSU hosts Portland State at 6:30pm PST and will be televised on the USA channel for an exciting opening go at it for the stations new direction into sports. This is a perfect warm-up to establish their hustle & flow at Snapdragon.
And at Snapdragon in Mission Valley on an early September Saturday, the warm-up by 6:30pm should be over by then. Fans can tailgate early enough to work up a good game time attitude and no one will complain about the lack of shade when the gates open up.
6:30pm kick-offs are the ideal time for games to begin in San Diego as well. The game won’t keep you out too late, maybe 10pm or so at the latest, so it’s a family friendly event for the little ones and seniors. LFG!
at UCLA Kickoff: September 12, 4:15pm PST – B1G Network
Week two in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl is special as well. The early evening backgrop of the San Gabriel mountains by kickoff will add so much pageantry to the game day environment, you might actually see some Aztecs and Bruin fans be nice to each other.
Oh who are we kidding. The Aztecs have a real chance at beating up those Bruins come September 12th. The travel, tailgate, kickoff and full game time is perfect for those deciding to travel and stay the night in LALA land or just make it a quick up in the morning and back before midnight crowd.
Either way, having this matchup at prime time is going to add so much more intrigue to the matchup on the field and bring two Southern California fanbases together for one big party. Cheers!
vs James Madison Kickoff: September 19, 7:00pm PST – CW
If things go as planned the Aztecs could be riding some great momentum against last year’s College Football Playoff participant, JMU. If SDSU can find themselves unblemished to this early point in the season, that return to Snapdragon for a 7pm kickoff could be an attendance high point in Sean Lewis’ tenure.
at Toledo Kickoff: September 26, TBD
The only game on the list that remains mysterious. Toledo is no slouch. The roadtrip however, not so much an attractive one for Aztecs fans. Nevertheless, I will refrain from too harsh of judgement until the end of the trip.
We’ll keep an eye on this one, but early thoughts are that the kickoff could be around the 3:30pm or 12:00pm EST as they are used to. Most of those games are on the ESPN+ streaming method, so there may be some added hurdles on figuring out the start time for this one.
vs Texas State Kickoff: October 3, 7:30pm PST – CW
This is exciting to host Texas State and if SDSU can keep it rolling into this early October matchup it will be fascinating to see how the San Diego crowd reacts to this unique and foreign opponent for a later kickoff time.
at Oregon State Kickoff: October 10, 3:00pm PST – USA Network
I’ve made two road trips to Corvallis for SDSU vs Oregon State. Both times were not fun experiences as the Aztecs were handed decisive losses. 3pm however is maybe the ultimate kickoff time in the pacific northwest. This could be the year to take down the Beavers.
My advice, make this trip. Fly into and stay in Portland on Friday. Saturday morning you have plenty of time to make the drive up to Corvallis and the game will be over with plenty of time to make it back down to Portland after. Win-win, and hopefully a BIG win.
vs Fresno State Kickoff: October 17, 7:30pm PST – CBS Sports
The Old Oil Can is living here in San Diego physically and mentally in the minds of the Bulldogs after last year’s shut out in the Valley. Loved that game.
This year they return to Snapdragon and though it is a later kickoff time in the middle of October, I’d probably think this is the annual Homecoming game. That would be the ideal game to choose if we are being honest. For starters, it will encourage SDSU fans to buy tickets, lots of homecoming tickets. And secondly, it will probably keep the Fresno fans far, far away from here.
at Colorado State Kickoff: October 24, 6:30pm PST – CW
Fort Collins is always a good time. Late October you really get that nice, cold, crisp Rocky Mountain air. 6:30pm kick gives you plenty of time to experience all the great breweries & eateries there in and around the state.
vs Washington State Kickoff: October 31, 4:00pm PST – CBS Sports Network
This game has payback written all over it. SDSU has taken some lumps against the Cougs lately, and not just in football. Halloween on Aztec football gamedays are usually dealbreakers and have low student turnouts. But with a 4pm start time, let’s get it together young people. The game should end just as party time begins aroud 8pm. No excuses, just plenty of dress up fun.
vs Utah State Kickoff: November 14, 6:30pm PST – USA Network
Another 6:30pm start time by November is crazy good for the thin blooded casual Aztecs fan. The weather might be colder than we natives like to enjoy, but that earlier start is just what it could take to get people out the door and down inside the stadium.
Of course, if the team is not doing so well by then Utah State for all their recent sports respectability just doesn’t and probably will never move the needle for us San Diegans to take very seriously.
at Boise State Kickoff: November 21, 6:30pm PST – USA Network
This is a tough one. On the road late November up in Boise doesn’t sound great. We already know it doesn’t look great either. But will it feel great is the question? It sure did last year beating those Broncos at home. This might be a road trip depending on what’s at stake by then. If so, count me in.
at FLEX Kickoff: November 28, TBD
PAC-12 Championship Kickoff: Dec 4, 5:00pm PST – CBS
It is what it is. Friday isn’t ideal but at least it cuts back on the likelihood the visiting team’s fans make the trip in big numbers. Of course, we won’t be fans of that if it’s the Aztecs in that spot.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
