Utah college football: Aggies face tough schedule as BYU QB gains attention

Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall has noted that the Aggies face an exceptionally difficult schedule for the 2026 season. The team's path to bowl eligibility includes two non-conference road games against Power Four opponents and a more challenging conference schedule. The first six weeks of the season include matchups against Idaho State, Washington, Utah, Troy, Boise State, and Washington State.

Mendenhall stated that the team must perform significantly better than in previous years to achieve the same win-loss results due to the increased difficulty of the schedule.

In related college football news, BYU sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been identified by ESPN as one of the top returning quarterbacks for 2026. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick described Bachmeier as a smart, competitive player with veteran-like knowledge of the system. Coaches in the Big 12 expect Bachmeier to make considerable progress during the upcoming season.