Note: This story is featured in the 2026 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Summer Magazine, which you can order here.

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BEHIND ENEMY LINES  

“Texas State gets all the buzz as a G6 contender and then you look down and they’ve won seven games. I don’t get it. They’ve had as much talent as anyone in our state at that level and still haven’t competed for a conference championship. How can they be conference contenders in the PAC-12 if they couldn’t do it in the Sun Belt?”  

“That QB (Brad Jackson) is incredible and I’d like to know how they kept him at Texas State because I know a bunch of Power Four programs who were interested. He gives them a chance to win right away in the PAC-12.”  

“It all comes down to the defensive coordinator. Texas State could be the 2026 version of last year’s North Texas team if they can create some turnovers and get a couple of stops.”   

SCHEDULE AND PREDICTIONS  

Sept. 5 at Texas L  

Sept. 12 UTSA W 

Sept. 19 North Texas W 

Sept. 26 Incarnate Word  W 

Oct. 3 at San Diego State  L 

Oct. 10 IDLE 

Oct. 17 Colorado State W  

Oct. 24 Utah State  W 

Oct. 31 at Boise State  L 

Nov. 7 at Oregon State  L 

Nov. 14 Fresno State W 

Nov. 21 Washington State W 

Nov. 28 at Colorado State (FLEX) L 

Record: 7-5 (4-4)  

BIGGEST GAME – Sept. 12 vs. UTSA  

Texas State is on a two-game winning streak against the rival Roadrunners and a third straight victory would be huge for the Bobcats and for the Pac-12. The race for the G6 playoff spot likely comes down to the Pac-12 and American champions and these non-conference matchups hold weight come December.  

TRAP GAME – Sept. 19 vs. North Texas  

Texas State begins the season against a Texas team that is a national title contender and then hosts rival UTSA in Week 2. North Texas and new head coach Neal Brown could be 0-2 and easily overlooked when the Mean Green head to San Marcos in Week 3.  

UPSET ALERT – Oct. 31 at Boise State  

Weird things happen in college football on Halloween and nothing would punctuate Texas State’s move to the Pac-12 like upsetting Boise State. The Broncos are on the road against Washington State a week before while the Bobcats should be fresh after three consecutive weeks without travel.    

BEST CASE/WORST CASE 

Best Case: 10-2  

An offense that is anchored by second year starting quarterback Brad Jackson and receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr., lead the Pac-12 in scoring while new defensive coordinator Will Windham improves the defense enough to compete for a conference championship and a spot in the CFP.  

Worst Case: 5-7  

The Bobcats miss a bowl for the first time under head coach G.J. Kinne because of a tricky non-conference schedule that includes games against Texas, UTSA, and North Texas. That combines with a Pac-12 slate that includes long distance flights to San Diego State, Boise State, and Oregon State.  

2025 RESULTS 

Aug. 30 Eastern Michigan W 52-27  

Sept. 6 at UTSA W 43-36 

Sept. 13 at Arizona State L 34-15 

Sept. 20 Nicholls W 35-3 

Oct. 4 at Arkansas State L 31-30 

Oct. 11 Troy L 48-41 (OT) 

Oct. 18 at Marshall L 40-37 (2OT) 

Oct. 28 James Madison L 52-20 

Nov. 8 at Louisiana L 42-39 

Nov. 15 at Southern Miss W 41-14 

Nov. 22 ULM W 31-14 

Nov. 29 South Alabama W 49-26 

Jan. 2 Rice (Armed Forces Bowl) W 41-10 

Record: 7-6 (3-5)