I asked ChatGPT, Google Gemini and found this website, and they all predict 5-7 is most likely, 6-6 is possible and 7-5 is pushing it. Sorry for those who hate AI slop I just find it interesting.
ChatGPT
Yeah. I looked at the
actual 2026 schedule, preseason polls, returning starters, and the strength of the opponents, rather than just guessing based on last year.
EWU is in an interesting spot. They went
5–7 (4–4 Big Sky) in 2025, are picked
8th in the Big Sky, but return 11 starters, including seven on defense. Jaylon Jenkins and Isaiah Perez were both named preseason All-Americans. (
Eastern Washington University Athletics)
My game-by-game prediction
| Date | Opponent | My pick | Confidence |
|---|
| Aug. 29 | @ Northern Arizona | L | 65% |
| Sept. 5 | Northern Iowa | W | 60% |
| Sept. 12 | @ South Dakota | L | 75% |
| Sept. 19 | @ Washington | L | 99% |
| Sept. 26 | Cal Poly | W | 65% |
| Oct. 3 | @ UC Davis | L | 80% |
| Oct. 10 | Northern Colorado | W | 75% |
| Oct. 17 | Montana State | L | 90% |
| Oct. 31 | Montana | L | 80% |
| Nov. 7 | @ Idaho | L | 55% |
| Nov. 14 | @ Utah Tech | W | 75% |
| Nov. 21 | Portland State | W | 85% |
The schedule is confirmed as
12 games, six home and six road, with nine Big Sky games. (
Eastern Washington University Athletics)
My prediction:
I think the five wins are:
Northern Iowa
Cal Poly
Northern Colorado
Utah Tech
Portland State
And the seven losses:
Northern Arizona
South Dakota
Washington
UC Davis
Montana State
Montana
Idaho
But I think 6–6 is very realistic
The three games I'd circle as the biggest swing games are:
Northern Arizona — @ NAU
This is a brutal opener. NAU is ranked
No. 24 nationally and picked fourth in the Big Sky coaches' poll. EWU is going into Flagstaff against a ranked team before they've played a game. (
Eastern Washington University Athletics)
Northern Iowa — home
This is probably EWU's best opportunity to get an FCS win outside the Big Sky. UNI went
3–9 last season and was picked seventh in the Missouri Valley preseason poll. (
Black Heart Gold Pants) I think the Roos Field advantage gets EWU this one.
Idaho — @ Idaho
This is the one I really wouldn't be surprised to see go either way. Idaho is only one spot ahead of EWU in the coaches' preseason poll,
7th vs. 8th. (
University of Idaho Athletics) And it's a rivalry game, so preseason rankings don't mean nearly as much.
The big problem with the schedule
EWU gets absolutely
hammered in the middle/end of the schedule:
UC Davis → Northern Colorado → Montana State → bye → Montana → Idaho
UC Davis is currently
No. 6 in the FCS preseason coaches poll, while Montana State is No. 1 and Montana No. 2. (
UC Davis Athletics)
So even if EWU is substantially better than last year's 5–7 team, the schedule makes a huge jump in the win total difficult.
My range
I'd put the possibilities roughly:
- 4–8: disappointing but possible
- 5–7: most likely
- 6–6: very realistic
- 7–5: optimistic but absolutely possible
- 8–4: requires EWU to win several games I'm currently picking against them
My official preseason prediction: 5–7, 4–5 in Big Sky play.
But if they beat
NAU tomorrow, I'd immediately bump my projection to
6–6 or 7–5, because that would tell me this year's team may be considerably better than the preseason No. 8 ranking suggests.
Google Gemini
Analyzing Eastern Washington University's 12-game schedule, opponent strength, and venue factors provides a game-by-game forecast for the season:
2026 Season Game-by-Game Predictions
| Date | Opponent | Location | Projected Outcome | Key Context |
| Aug 29 | @ #25 Northern Arizona | Flagstaff, AZ | Loss | Tough opening Big Sky road test at high altitude. |
| Sep 5 | vs. Northern Iowa | Cheney, WA | Win | Home opener on the red turf gives EWU the edge in a tight non-conference matchup. |
| Sep 12 | @ South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | Loss | Difficult road trip to face a physical MVFC opponent in the DakotaDome. |
| Sep 19 | @ Washington | Seattle, WA | Loss | FBS paycheck game at Husky Stadium; big mismatch on depth and size. |
| Sep 26 | vs. Cal Poly | Cheney, WA | Win | Big Sky home conference play opens with a favorable matchup. |
| Oct 3 | @ UC Davis | Davis, CA | Loss | UC Davis features one of the most explosive offenses in the conference. |
| Oct 10 | vs. Northern Colorado | Cheney, WA | Win | Homecoming in Cheney; strong opportunity to secure a decisive win. |
| Oct 17 | vs. Montana State | Cheney, WA | Loss | Facing a top-tier Big Sky title contender at home. |
| Oct 31 | vs. Montana | Cheney, WA | Loss | High-intensity rivalry game, but Montana's depth gives them the edge late. |
| Nov 7 | @ Idaho | Moscow, ID | Loss | Rivalry road game in the Kibbie Dome against a physical squad. |
| Nov 14 | @ Utah Tech | St. George, UT | Win | Late-season conference road trip offers a prime rebound opportunity. |
| Nov 21 | vs. Portland State | Cheney, WA | Win | Senior Day in Cheney closes out the regular season with a victory. |
Projected Record: 5–7 (4–4 Big Sky)
- Best-Case Scenario (7–5): Pulling off an opening road upset at NAU or taking down either Montana or Idaho at home/on the road could push EWU into FCS playoff bubble consideration.
- Key Stretch: October 17 through November 7 features three top Big Sky contenders (Montana State, Montana, and Idaho). How EWU executes through that gauntlet will define their season.
