San Jose State Spartans Football Schedule 2026: Key Dates and Opponents
The San Jose State Spartans football team has announced its schedule for the 2026 season, featuring nine games against Mountain West Conference opponents and several key non-conference matchups. The schedule includes a challenging road game against a Power Four opponent and a home contest against North Dakota State, which will not count toward the Mountain West standings.
2026 San Jose State Spartans Football Schedule
Here’s a complete look at the Spartans’ 2026 schedule:
- August 29: at USC
- September 4: at Eastern Michigan
- September 12: vs. Cal Poly
- September 19: vs. Fresno State
- October 3: at Hawaii
- October 10: vs. Wyoming
- October 17: at UTEP
- October 24: at Nevada
- October 31: vs. New Mexico
- November 7: vs. Northern Illinois
- November 14: at Air Force
- November 21: vs. UNLV
- November 28: vs. North Dakota State (Non-Conference)
Note: Games in bold indicate Mountain West Conference contests.
Key Matchups
The Spartans will face a diverse range of opponents in 2026. The season opener at USC presents a significant challenge against a Power Four team. The non-conference schedule similarly includes matchups against Group of Six opponents Fresno State and Eastern Michigan, as well as a contest against Cal Poly from the FCS level.
North Dakota State Game
The November 28th game against North Dakota State is a notable addition to the schedule. However, it’s important to note that this game will not be counted towards the Mountain West Conference standings. North Dakota State is transitioning to the FBS level and this game is part of that transition process. According to Heavy.com, North Dakota State is facing scheduling challenges during this transition.
Mountain West Conference Play
San Jose State will compete against the other teams in the Mountain West Conference, including Hawaii, Wyoming, UTEP, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Air Force, and UNLV. The Mountain West Conference is a competitive Group of Six conference, and these games will be crucial for the Spartans’ postseason aspirations.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 season promises to be an exciting one for San Jose State football. With a mix of challenging non-conference games and competitive Mountain West matchups, the Spartans will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and compete for a conference championship.