The Pac-12 is back, but it looks considerably different than the conference college football fans remember.
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State have joined Oregon State and Washington State to form an eight-team football conference. Each program will play the other seven conference members, with the top two teams meeting in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday, December 4. The championship will be played at the home stadium of the highest-seeded team.
The conference may not have the national depth of the SEC or Big Ten, but it should produce entertaining football. Boise State enters as the favorite, San Diego State is coming off a nine-win season, Texas State could have the conference’s most explosive passing attack and Fresno State possesses enough experience to challenge everyone.
Here are Sportsvival’s preseason Pac-12 rankings.
1. Boise State Broncos
Boise State enters the new Pac-12 as the team everyone else is chasing. The Broncos have won three consecutive Mountain West championships and return quarterback Maddux Madsen, running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines, defensive end Jayden Virgin-Morgan and several experienced offensive linemen.
Riley rushed for 1,125 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns last season, while Gaines added 811 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. The biggest offensive question will be finding new receivers for Madsen, but Boise State still has the most complete roster in the conference.
2. San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State made one of the biggest improvements in college football last season, going from 3-9 in 2024 to 9-4 in 2025. Head coach Sean Lewis now has an experienced offensive foundation led by quarterback Jayden Denegal and running back Lucky Sutton.
Sutton rushed for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, while receiver Jordan Napier returns after leading the Aztecs with 48 receptions for 629 yards. The concern is a defense that lost most of its starters after allowing only 15.4 points per game last season. If the rebuilt defense develops quickly, San Diego State can win the conference.
3. Texas State Bobcats
Texas State could be the most entertaining team in the Pac-12. Quarterback Brad Jackson returns after averaging more than 300 yards of total offense per game during his freshman season.
Jackson will once again have two 1,000-yard receivers in Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. Sparks finished with 84 receptions for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Dawn recorded 65 catches for 1,007 yards. The offense should score plenty of points, but Texas State must improve a defense that allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete nearly 69 percent of their passes last season.
4. Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State went 9-4 during Matt Entz’s first season and returns enough experience to compete for a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The Bulldogs should have one of the conference’s best defensive units after allowing just 18.8 points per game last season.
Running backs Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson give Fresno State a strong rushing attack, while defensive back Simeon Harris returns after recording six interceptions. The deciding factor will be quarterback play, where Maryland transfer Khristian Martin and Jayden Mandal are competing for the starting job.
5. Washington State Cougars
Washington State is one of the conference’s biggest wildcards. Kirby Moore becomes the Cougars’ third head coach in three seasons, and the roster underwent another significant transfer portal makeover.
The offense has legitimate weapons in running back Kirby Vorhees and receiver Tony Freeman. Freeman caught 54 passes for 590 yards last season and returned three punts for touchdowns. Cal Poly transfer Caden Pinnick is the leading candidate at quarterback, but the Cougars must rebuild a defense that returns no starters.
6. Utah State Aggies
Bronco Mendenhall should have Utah State moving in the right direction, but the Aggies have several offensive questions to answer. Former Utah State quarterback McCae Hillstead returns to Logan after spending two seasons at BYU and will work with veteran offensive coordinator Robert Anae.
Running backs Javen Jacobs and Sesi Vailahi give the offense some versatility, while linebackers Bronson Olevao Jr. and Harrison Taggart should lead the defense. Utah State might not have the overall firepower of the conference’s top teams, but Mendenhall will make the Aggies difficult to play.
7. Colorado State Rams
Colorado State hired Jim Mora after a disappointing 2-10 season. Mora brought several former UConn players with him, including running backs Mel Brown and Durell Robinson, tight end Juice Vereen and linebacker Oumar Diomande.
Oklahoma State transfer Hauss Hejny is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position. There is enough incoming talent for Colorado State to improve immediately, but with more than 60 new players and five new starters expected along the offensive line, the Rams may need time before becoming a serious contender.
8. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State begins a rebuilding project under new head coach JaMarcus Shephard after finishing 2-10 last season. Shephard has brought energy and recruiting ability to Corvallis, but the Beavers still have significant questions throughout the roster.
Maalik Murphy, Brady Atkinson and Brady Jones are competing at quarterback. Sophomore running back Cornell Hatcher Jr. provides some offensive promise, while linebacker Aiden Sullivan could become one of the conference’s best defensive players. Oregon State should improve, but this feels like the beginning of a longer rebuilding process.
Sportsvival Pac-12 Championship Prediction
Boise State 31, San Diego State 24
San Diego State should be able to challenge Boise State with Lucky Sutton controlling the football and Jayden Denegal making plays off the running game. However, Boise State has more proven depth, a stronger offensive line and the conference’s best collection of pass rushers.
The championship game being played at the home stadium of the highest seed could also be significant. Sportsvival has Boise State finishing first during the regular season, hosting the championship game on the blue turf and becoming the first champion of the rebuilt Pac-12.
Sportsvival Preseason First Team All-Pac-12
Offense
QB: Brad Jackson, Texas State
RB: Dylan Riley, Boise State
RB: Lucky Sutton, San Diego State
All-Purpose: Sire Gaines, Boise State
WR: Beau Sparks, Texas State
WR: Chris Dawn Jr., Texas State
WR: Jordan Napier, San Diego State
TE: Juice Vereen, Colorado State
C: Jimmy Liston, Utah State
OL: Roger Carreon, Boise State
OL: Joe Borjon, San Diego State
OL: Ashton Tripp, Washington State
OL: Brayden Walton, Fresno State
Defense
DL: Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Boise State
DL: Max Stege, Boise State
DL: Deijon Laffitte, Fresno State
DL: Tyree Morris, Utah State
LB: Boen Phelps, Boise State
LB: Bronson Olevao Jr., Utah State
LB: Aiden Sullivan, Oregon State
CB: Simeon Harris, Fresno State
CB: Jaden Mickey, Boise State
S: Dalesean Staley, San Diego State
S: Brevin Hamblin, Utah State
Special Teams
K: Colton Boomer, Boise State
P: Oscar Doyle, Boise State
Kick Returner: Jaylen Jenkins, Texas State
Punt Returner: Tony Freeman, Washington State
Sportsvival Preseason Pac-12 Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Brad Jackson, QB, Texas State
Jackson has the quarterback talent and receiving weapons to put up enormous numbers. Texas State may need to win high-scoring games, which could result in Jackson becoming one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jayden Virgin-Morgan, DL, Boise State
Virgin-Morgan recorded 13 tackles for loss last season and enters 2026 with 31 career tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He will be the centerpiece of a Boise State defense expected to compete for the Pac-12 championship.
Breakout Player: Caden Pinnick, QB, Washington State
Pinnick arrives from Cal Poly with the mobility and passing ability to succeed in Kirby Moore’s offense. Washington State has questions throughout its roster, but Pinnick could become one of the conference’s most exciting new players.
Coach of the Year: Spencer Danielson, Boise State
Danielson has maintained Boise State’s winning culture and enters the new conference with the deepest roster. Winning another championship would further establish the Broncos as the leading program in the rebuilt Pac-12.
Final Thoughts
The new Pac-12 may not resemble the conference that once included USC, Oregon, Washington and UCLA, but it has an opportunity to create its own identity.
Boise State is the clear favorite, but San Diego State, Texas State and Fresno State all have legitimate paths to the championship game. Washington State remains dangerous, Utah State should improve under Bronco Mendenhall, and both Colorado State and Oregon State are beginning new coaching eras.
The conference’s first season should feature explosive offenses, strong regional rivalries and several teams fighting to become the Pac-12’s new standard-bearer.
If not for sports, how would we survive?