Utah State vs PAC-12 Canceled

The Big Ten’s and PAC-12’s rulings to eliminate out of conference contests for the 2020 season have brought on notable challenges for the programs they were set to face. One Mountain West team that has been significantly affected is Utah State. The Aggies had two PAC-12 games scheduled for next year, the season and home opener against Washington State, as well as a road trip to face Washington on September 19th.

The Cougars and USU agreed to a home-and-home contract back in 2016, with the first bout being home this season and the next in Pullman, Washington on September 4th of 2021. There is little history between the two schools, with WSU owning a 2-1 advantage over the Aggies. The most latest match between these two schools came over nearly 60 years ago on September 30th, 1961, with Utah State winning on the road, 34-14.

Utah State was expecting to reel in $1.5 million dollars for playing Washington in 2020. More than likely, their contract included a clause in which the Huskies would be able to pull out of the deal if unanticipated circumstances occurred, such as what is currently happening with COVID-19.

This means the Aggies will be taking a hefty blow to their current budget, but if it keeps their staff and student-athletes, then no one can complain too much. Washington and Utah State have faced each other three times, with the Huskies holding the all-time lead at 3-1. They also reigned victorious in their last meeting in 2015, 31-17.

Presently, USU still has out of conference contests scheduled against Southern Utah (home) and BYU (away), but now the status of both games are in question. There is a great deal of uncertainty entering the season, but as of right now we will be able to watch the Aggies in some capacity in 2020.

Stay tuned for any further announcements and news regarding the Mountain West Conference and stay safe during these unprecedented times!