Week 11 is here, and the race for the Pac-12 championship game is starting to take shape. Boise State continues to lead the way, but Texas State made a major jump in this week’s rankings after a statement win over Oregon State. With four teams sitting at 3-2 in conference play, the title race remains wide open as we head into another important weekend of Pac-12 football.
- Boise State
Backup quarterback Max Cutforth and the Broncos easily handled Colorado State 64-38 in Fort Collins, keeping their College Football
Playoff hopes alive. The Broncos put up 352 rushing yards against a historically bad Rams defense.
College GameDay will be in Boise this weekend for the Broncos’ matchup against Oregon State. The visit signals the strength of the rebuilt Pac-12 while also highlighting the strength of Boise State’s CFP résumé. The Broncos will take on an Oregon State team that will also be without its starting quarterback, Braden Atkinson. A win would help keep Boise State’s CFP bid on track.
- Texas State
The Bobcats jump all the way to the No. 2 spot after a dominant 42-21 victory over the Beavers in Corvallis. The Texas State offense may be the best in the Pac-12, and at 3-2, the Bobcats have a real chance to make the Pac-12 championship game.
Texas State and its explosive offense will have a chance to further separate from the ‘pac’ (get it!) with a home game against Fresno State this week. A win would put the Bobcats at 4-2 in Pac-12 play, with a home game against the Cougars looming.
- Oregon State
Ranking teams numbers 3-6 is truly difficult right now, given the amount of parity in the league. Four teams currently sit at 3-2 in Pac-12 play. The nod for the No. 3 spot currently goes to the Beavers because I believe they have the best unit of the four teams, their offense.
I think Oregon State has the talent to beat Boise State on Saturday. However, it won’t be easy to go into Boise with a backup quarterback and try to steal a game from a ranked Boise State squad.
- San Diego State
The Aztecs were idle this week after a win against WSU in Week 9. SDSU finds itself firmly in the Pac-12 championship race at 3-2 in conference play. The Aztecs will have a chance to continue their strong play with a game against Utah State in San Diego this week.
- Utah State
Utah State has to be the most improved team in the conference this season. After a rough start, the Aggies now have three conference wins, putting themselves firmly in the running for the Pac-12 championship game.
The road to the title game could be doable for Utah State, which will first have to beat San Diego State this week before facing Oregon State next week.
- Fresno State
After a promising start to Pac-12 play, the Bulldogs find themselves at 2-3 in conference play and outside the championship game picture following a disappointing 17-10 loss to Utah State.
Sitting at 5 wins, the Bulldogs still have three chances to become bowl eligible, with their next opportunity coming against Texas State this week in San Marcos.
- Colorado State
After a 64-38 loss to Boise State dropped the Rams to 3-6 on the season, they should be happy to share a conference with WSU. Otherwise, they would occupy the bottom spot in this week’s rankings.
In a battle between two of the Pac-12’s bottom teams, the Rams will travel to Pullman to take on the Cougars this week. If the Rams’ defense can get even a few stops, they may be able to score enough points to beat Washington State.
- Washington State
Coming off a much-needed bye week, the Cougars remain in the No. 8 spot in this week’s power rankings. WSU will have a real chance to move out of the bottom spot if it can beat Colorado State in Pullman this weekend.
