Pac-12 play is finally here for the rebuilt league, and the Week 5 power rankings still start with the same name at the top: No. 22 Boise State.
After four weeks of non-conference games, the Broncos remain the clear favorite to win the Pac-12 title, while Colorado State, Fresno State, Oregon State and Texas State all still have legitimate paths to the championship game. Here’s how the eight football-playing members stack up as conference action begins.
Boise State stays in command after a 32-7 road win over Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Broncos are riding a three-game winning streak into league play, and Dylan Riley’s season has kept them humming. He ranks third nationally with 592 rushing yards.
Next up is Utah State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Fresno State also holds steady after taking down Rice 38-24 at home on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Bulldogs had to shake off a 17-14 halftime deficit, but they found another gear after the break. Quarterback Jayden Mandal helped drive the comeback and continued to add to a rushing attack that has been a real strength.
Fresno State heads to Washington State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on USA Network.
Texas State is still in the mix after blasting Incarnate Word 63-10 at home on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Brad Jackson did most of the damage early, throwing five touchdowns, all in the first half, as the Bobcats handled their FCS opponent with ease. Texas State visits San Diego State on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on The CW.
Colorado State’s record may still look respectable, but the warning signs are flashing. The Rams dropped a 59-45 road game to UTSA on Saturday, Sept. 26, and while the offense kept producing behind backup quarterback K’saan Farrar, the defense is a major issue as Pac-12 play begins. Colorado State hosts Oregon State on Saturday at 4 p.m. on USA Network.
Washington State is trying to regroup after a 34-24 home loss to Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Cougars jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but they couldn’t finish the job, and Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita piled up 297 passing yards and four touchdowns. Washington State gets Fresno State next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on USA Network.
Oregon State earned a 21-10 home win over Troy on Saturday, Sept. 26, with quarterback Grady Brosterhous delivering a strong all-around performance. He passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns while adding 89 rushing yards on 15 carries. The Beavers travel to Colorado State on Saturday at 4 p.m. on USA Network.
San Diego State is sliding fast after a 41-16 road loss to Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Aztecs are now also dealing with a mumps outbreak as they head into conference play. Their next game is at home against Texas State on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on The CW.
In Other News...
WSU Needs Its Running Backs To Matter Again Against Fresno State
Washington State entered the season expecting its running back trio to be one of the more dependable parts of the offense, but that edge has faded in the recent stretch of FBS losses to Washington, Kansas State and Arizona. The ground game has been quiet enough that coach Kirby Moore has already acknowledged the need to get the backs more involved, and that could mean looking for them in the passing game as much as on handoffs.
That need becomes even more obvious with the offense stalling on third down and giving the ball away at the wrong times, the kind of problems that put extra pressure on every possession. Fresno State gives the Cougars a chance to reset in front of a home crowd, and if Washington State is going to turn its offense back into something more balanced, the backs need to become a factor again before the game script starts to drift away from them. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Fans Have One Big Reason To Hate This New Hoops Schedule
The Pac-12 has finally laid out Washington States mens basketball path for the upcoming season, and it gives Cougars fans plenty to circle on the calendar. The slate is built around the usual Wednesday and Saturday rhythm, with a few Sunday and Thursday dates mixed in, and it includes a marquee home meeting with Gonzaga on January 6 that should draw plenty of attention in Pullman.
Still, one date stands out for reasons WSU fans probably wont love. The Pac-12 Tournament is set for March 9-13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which means the Cougars now have to map out the regular season with a long trip and a whole lot at stake hanging over the final stretch. For a team trying to make every home game count and survive a demanding conference schedule, that late-season setup is impossible to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State's Pac-12 Opener Hinges On A Few Cougars Fixing Two Problems
Fresno State has opened the 2028 season looking like a team that can beat you in a couple different ways, with a defense that has been forcing mistakes and an offense capable of hitting quick-strike plays. That makes Saturdays Pac-12 opener a useful early test for Washington State, which will have to sort out a matchup that already appears to be shaped by a few key players, from Cougars quarterback Pinnick to defensive lineman Leaupepetele.
For Washington State, the bigger issue is less about the stage and more about the details. Fresno States turnover defense has been a problem for opponents, and the Cougars cannot afford to give away possessions if they want to control a game that could swing on one or two sequences. Add in the threat of Bulldogs running back Rayshon Luke and the expectation is clear enough: Washington State has to be cleaner with the football and sharper in a few individual battles just to give itself a real chance. [Read more 🡒]