The 2026 college football season opens with Montana State beginning its title defense on the road at Utah Tech on Aug. 29. Kickoff from St. George, Utah, is set for 8 p.m., giving the reigning FCS national champion an early test as the Bobcats start the year away from home.
The matchup is drawing attention because it pairs a defending champion with Utah Tech’s Big Sky debut in the same game. Scripps Sports is opening its conference coverage with that game and another Big Sky matchup, and Montana State Vs Utah Tech will air on The Spot – MTN across Montana.
That broadcast is not limited to one platform. The Spot – MTN is available on Spectrum cable, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo, and it can also be picked up over the air with an antenna or Tablo. For viewers who want the full lead-in, The Saturday Showdown Pregame Show begins at 6 p.m. on CBS affiliates, two hours before kickoff.
The Bobcats enter the game as the reigning FCS national champion, which gives the first week of the season extra weight. Utah Tech’s first Big Sky game against Montana State adds another layer, because the Trailblazers are stepping into a conference matchup that doubles as a title-defense opener for Montana State.
What happens next is simple: Montana State and Utah Tech play on Aug. 29, and the rest of the schedule can wait until after the Bobcats’ first snap. The Saturday Showdown Postgame show follows immediately on The Spot – MTN, keeping the focus on how Montana State’s season begins and how Utah Tech handles its first Big Sky test.
