COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Mountain West announced the 2024 conference schedule on Thursday as the league enters its second season without divisions, and its first in the football scheduling agreement with Oregon State and Washington State.
The 2024 schedule follows a 7+1 model with each MW program playing seven league opponents, and either Oregon State or Washington State, with an even split of four home games and four away games among the eight contests. Games against Oregon State and Washington State will not count toward the MW standings and those two squads will not be eligible to participate in the MW Championship. The scheduling agreement strengthens the Conference's nonconference schedule, enhances the league's national brand and expands the MW footprint.
The schedule is highlighted by six home dates with the home opener being against Sacramento State on Sept. 7. Fresno State will host New Mexico State on Sept. 14. The Bulldogs open up conference play against New Mexico in Albuquerque on Sept. 21 then head to UNLV the following week (Sept. 28).
Fresno State has its first bye week on Oct. 5, then returns home to host Washington State on Oct. 12. The remaining home dates include hosting San Jose State on Oct. 26, Hawai'i on Nov. 2 and Colorado State on Nov. 23.
The Bulldogs will travel to Nevada on Oct. 19, to Air Force on Nov. 9 and to UCLA on Nov. 30. Fresno State's second bye week falls on Nov. 16.
The 2024 schedule will play out over 15 weeks, concluding with the Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship game on a date to be announced. The contest will feature the two teams with the highest Conference winning percentage.
Today's announcement represents the first phase in the 2024 football schedule release process. Fresno State learned its order of conference opponents, but dates are still subject to change as the Mountain West's national television partners (CBS Sports and FOX Sports) will now initiate a selection procedure which will include the shifting of particular games to non-Saturday dates. That will be followed by the identification of network outlets and kick times.
2024 season tickets are open for renewals and deposits now.