As per tradition, our annual 30 Day Countdown to the season here on UWDP features a few days where we look ahead and try to preview our schedule and the opponents we'll face this season. Today, we'll be looking at the schedule to circle which opponent might have the best offense that we'll face. In my opinion, there's really only a few that stand out from an otherwise middling group of offenses on our 2026 slate.
As a refresher for those who might not have committed our schedule to memory, here's our 2026 opponents:
Generally speaking, our non-conference opponents don't really wow me when it comes to offensive firepower. Wazzu has a solid offensive mind at the helm in Kirby Moore, and transfer QB Caden Pinnick finished last season as one of the top QBs in FCS. However, the Cougs are rebuilding from scratch for the second year in a row under a new staff, and UW's defense made Pinnick a non-factor last year when UC Davis came to Montlake, so it's unlikely that they will be among the best offenses we'll face.
Utah State might be a bit frisky on offense under Bronco Mendenhall and OC Robert Anae. Anae, a long time Mendenhall **** istant across various stops including BYU and Virginia, is a well-respected offensive mind. His offenses often feature dynamic dual threat QBs and a diverse run game that has long-served as an equalizer against more talented opponents, but I'm still not sold on them being among the best overall offenses we'll face.
USC has always been talented, and they've been particularly dangerous on offense under Lincoln Riley. However, this season might be different for the Trojans. Their roster-building strategy took a noticeable shift over the last 18 months, culminating in a 42-man, #1 ranked 2026 class. At first glance, the sheer volume of incoming players stand out, but a deeper dive points to a wholesale shift in how they want to build this roster and why there's so much turnover heading into year 6. The Trojans want to reload the trenches.
#we 'll #might #offenses #best
As a refresher for those who might not have committed our schedule to memory, here's our 2026 opponents:
Generally speaking, our non-conference opponents don't really wow me when it comes to offensive firepower. Wazzu has a solid offensive mind at the helm in Kirby Moore, and transfer QB Caden Pinnick finished last season as one of the top QBs in FCS. However, the Cougs are rebuilding from scratch for the second year in a row under a new staff, and UW's defense made Pinnick a non-factor last year when UC Davis came to Montlake, so it's unlikely that they will be among the best offenses we'll face.
Utah State might be a bit frisky on offense under Bronco Mendenhall and OC Robert Anae. Anae, a long time Mendenhall **** istant across various stops including BYU and Virginia, is a well-respected offensive mind. His offenses often feature dynamic dual threat QBs and a diverse run game that has long-served as an equalizer against more talented opponents, but I'm still not sold on them being among the best overall offenses we'll face.
USC has always been talented, and they've been particularly dangerous on offense under Lincoln Riley. However, this season might be different for the Trojans. Their roster-building strategy took a noticeable shift over the last 18 months, culminating in a 42-man, #1 ranked 2026 class. At first glance, the sheer volume of incoming players stand out, but a deeper dive points to a wholesale shift in how they want to build this roster and why there's so much turnover heading into year 6. The Trojans want to reload the trenches.
#we 'll #might #offenses #best
1 day ago
