PAC-12 Power Rankings: Defensive Preview
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Each week this season we will be analyzing each PAC-12 team and ranking them from first to last. Rankings will be based on overall record, quality of opponents faced, and the eye test. Leading into the season, we will rank each PAC 12 offense, defense, and give you an overall preseason ranking of the teams. Today, we continue our series by ranking each PAC-12 defense.
#1: Fresno State
The Bulldogs finished last season as the number ten defense in the nation, surrendering less than 300 yards per game. Matt Entz quickly instilled the physical style of football that he is known for to build one of the best defenses in the nation. Fresno State returns plenty of production on defense and should battle the Aztecs for best defense in the PAC 12.
#2: San Diego State
The Aztecs had an elite defense in 2025, finishing number twelve in the nation in total defense. They lost a lot of great players in the secondary, so there is some uncertainty. But I still expect San Diego State to have one of the better defenses in the PAC 12.
#3: Boise State
The Broncos dealt with inconsistency issues on the defensive side of the ball and lost some valuable players in the secondary and interior defensive line. But they still managed to finish the 2025 season with a top 40 defense. I like some of the moves the coaches made and think Jaden Mickey has the potential to be one of the best defensive players in the conference with his move to cornerback.
#4: Washington State
The Cougars had one of the best defenses in the nation last season, finishing number fifteen in total defense. Washington State surrendered just under 300 yards of offense per game last year, but with a new coaching staff comes large scale changes. Keith Brown and Kyle Peterson are the only notable returning players on defense; that leaves me a little concerned.
#5: Oregon State
After Washington State and Boise State, there was a huge dip in defensive production. Last season, the Beavers finished 75th in total defense and it is almost impossible to predict how this defense will gel this fall with a new coaching staff and a number of new players. But they should still be better than the teams behind them.
#6: Texas State
The Bobcats seem to be a trendy pick to finish near the top of the PAC 12. As good as the Bobcat offense will be, their defense might be equally as bad. They return only four starting players on defense from a unit that dealt with inconsistency issues much of last season.
#7: Colorado State
Good news! The Rams will almost certainly be better on the defensive side of the ball than they were in 2025. The bad news is that that isn’t saying much. The Rams finished last season 122nd in total defense, which goes a long way in explaining their unexpected struggles last fall. A new coaching staff and schematic changes should get this unit trending in the right direction, but I still expect them to finish near the bottom of the PAC-12.
#8: Utah State
Similar to the Rams, the Aggies should be better on the defensive side of the ball than they were last season. The Aggies were nearly the worst defensive team in the nation last year, finishing 129th in total defense. The Aggies struggled to match the physicality of many teams they faced last season; that mindset has to change if Utah State is going to have a successful 2026 season.
How would you rank each defense in the PAC-12? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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