The race for the Pac-12 championship is starting to take shape as we head into Week 8. Boise State and Oregon State remain the teams to beat, while San Diego State is gaining ground after a big win over Fresno State. With several teams still looking to establish themselves, this week’s matchups could help us establish the true top half of the conference.
1. Boise State (#1 Last Week)
The Broncos have occupied the No. 1 spot in the power rankings all season, and that does not change with Boise State coming off a bye week.
Boise State will look to keep its College Football Playoff run alive with a game against Washington State, which appears to have turned a corner offensively with a new quarterback under center. The Broncos will need to establish the run and limit defensive mistakes to beat the Cougs in Pullman.
2. Oregon State (#2 Last Week)
I feel like a broken record, but it’s another week and another impressive offensive performance from the Beavers. Washington State’s defense has been solid this season, but Oregon State was able to pick it apart and score more than 40 points in a dominant performance.
Questions remain about the Beavers’ defense after allowing 31 points to a WSU offense that has struggled to move the ball and put points on the board this season. Oregon State will have a bye week to make some defensive adjustments before a big Halloween matchup against Fresno State.
3. San Diego State (#5 Last Week)
Coming into their rivalry week matchup, Fresno State was regarded as the clear third-best team in the Pac-12. San Diego State changed that perception with a 26-23 win over the Bulldogs, moving to 2-1 in Pac-12 play. The victory gives the Aztecs a legitimate shot to establish themselves as a top-three team and compete for a spot in the Pac-12 championship game.
Week 8 brings a Colorado State team that has struggled to get stops on defense all season. The Aztecs should feel good about their chances to improve to 3-1 in Pac-12 play before facing WSU in Week 9.
4. Fresno State (#3 Last Week)
The Bulldogs appeared to have established themselves among the top three teams in the conference and as a legitimate threat to Boise State and Oregon State in the race for the Pac-12 title. While they are not out of the race yet, those hopes took a significant hit with a loss to San Diego State.
The Bulldogs head into their bye week at 1-2 in conference play before a must-win game against Oregon State next week. If Fresno State falls to 1-3 in Pac-12 play, it would spell disaster for a team that entered the season with its sights set on a conference championship.
5. Texas State (#4 Last Week)
The explosive Texas State offense was too much for a struggling Colorado State defense. The Bobcats overpowered the Rams 66-27 to pick up their first-ever Pac-12 conference win. Texas State’s offense is one of the best in the conference and gives the Bobcats a chance to win every game.
Texas State has a chance to improve to 2-1 in Pac-12 play this week with a home game against Utah State. The Aggies have struggled to put points on the board all season. If Texas State can score 30 or more points again this week, the Bobcats should feel good about their chances.
6. Utah State (#7 Last Week)
The Aggies move up a spot during their bye week thanks to another embarrassing performance by the Colorado State defense.
Coming off the bye, Utah State will travel to Texas State for a matchup against an explosive Bobcats offense. The Aggies’ defense will need to come up with plenty of stops to keep the game competitive, especially with an offense that has struggled to put points on the board this season.
7. Washington State (#8 Last Week)
An offense that was dormant for seemingly the entire season finally woke up in Week 7 against Oregon State. WSU started a new quarterback, Owen Eshelman, and he appeared to have better command of the offense.
Looking ahead, WSU faces another top Pac-12 team in Boise State this week in Pullman. The offense will need to build on its success in Corvallis if the Cougars want to pull off an upset against a ranked Boise State team this weekend.
8. Colorado State (#6 Last Week)
The Rams drop to the bottom spot in this week’s rankings after allowing more than 50 points for the third consecutive week. Jim Mora still has some serious issues to address on defense if Colorado State wants to win another game this season.
This week provides as good an opportunity as any for the defense to get back on track with a matchup against San Diego State. If the Rams can make strides defensively and get some stops, their offense is good enough to beat the Aztecs.