Pac-12 Football 2026 Predictions

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The Pac-12 is back. After two seasons of Washington State and Oregon State functioning as a two-team conference, six programs joined to bring the membership to eight in 2026. Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Utah State arrived from the Mountain West, while Texas State joined from the Sun Belt. Although this is the smallest FBS conference, this league has arguably the top Group of 6 program in Boise State, with Fresno State and San Diego State also harboring playoff aspirations.

The Broncos are Athlon’s pick to win the Pac-12, but the Aztecs and Bulldogs aren’t far behind. New Washington State coach Kirby Moore has several intriguing pieces to work with on offense, while it’s safe to assume Utah State will find the right answers in coach Bronco Mendenhall’s second year. Texas State’s high-powered offense places coach GJ Kinne’s team into must-see television each week, while new coaches at Colorado State (Jim Mora) and Oregon State (JaMarcus Shephard) provide optimism after each program had a disappointing ‘25 season.

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How does Athlon Sports project Pac-12 for 2026? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all eight teams in Pac-12 for this fall:

The Beavers have only one way to go under new coach JaMarcus Shephard in 2026 after a 2-10 record last year. However, Shephard and his staff have a lengthy list of question marks to address and progress won’t be easy in ‘26. A quarterback battle between Maalik Murphy and a pair of transfers in Brady Atkinson (Mercer) and Brady Jones (Western Michigan) will continue into the fall. Sophomore running back Cornell Hatcher is intriguing, while transfer receivers Xavyion Noland (UT Rio Grande Valley) and Aeryn Hampton (Alabama) provide potential on the outside. Linebacker Aiden Sullivan could be one of the Pac-12’s top defenders this fall, with Takari Hickle (end) and TJ Crandall (cornerback) providing a couple of building blocks at each level. A fresh start on special teams should also help after that unit had a disastrous ‘25 season.

New coach Jim Mora is one of the top hires in the 2025-26 coaching carousel. But with over 60 new players, it may take a year for the Rams and this revamped roster to climb the Pac-12 standings. Mora added plenty of intriguing transfers, including former Oklahoma State signal-caller Hauss Hejny and a handful of players who played under him at UConn, including running backs Mel Brown and Durell Robinson, tight end Juice Vereen, and linebacker Oumar Diomande. Colorado State should improve on its win total (2-10) from last season with Mora at the controls. If Hejny develops, and five new starters along the offensive line mesh early in the year, a run at a bowl game isn’t out of the question for the Rams.

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High-powered offenses have been a staple of the Pac-12 in previous versions of this conference lineup. The Bobcats should fill that void in their debut this fall. Quarterback Brad Jackson averaged 305.2 total yards a game last season and could be even better in his second year under center. Beau Sparks (84 catches for 1,200 yards and 10 TDs) and Chris Dawn, Jr. (65 catches for 1,007 yards) headline arguably the top receiving corps in the Pac-12. A revamped offensive line is the only concern for coach GJ Kinne’s group. However, while the Bobcats return a ton of firepower, making a fourth consecutive bowl appearance will hinge on how far the defense improves. This unit ranked No. 83 nationally in success rate and allowed quarterbacks in the Sun Belt to complete nearly 70 percent of their throws (68.9 completion rate allowed). New coordinator Will Windham inherits only four returning starters and question marks at every level. A healthy season from end Jo’Laison Landry should help the trenches, with extra support coming from the portal. Moving from the Sun Belt to the Pac-12 is a jump in weekly competition. But if the Bobcats take a step forward on defense, and the offense doesn’t miss a beat, then this team should finish closer to the top four in the conference.

A pair of familiar faces to Utah State and coach Bronco Mendenhall are critical to the success of this team in ‘26. Former quarterback McCae Hillstead returns to Logan after two seasons at BYU, while Mendenhall is reunited with his former play-caller Robert Anae (BYU and Virginia). Hillstead is throwing to a revamped set of receivers, but this group has intriguing upside with transfers Eli Wood (Virginia) and Javon Robinson (Georgia State) and all-around weapon Anthony Garcia. Add in running back Javen Jacobs and three returning starters up front and the Aggies have the makings of a solid offense. After giving up 5.9 yards a play and nearly 30 points a game last season, Mendenhall’s defense has plenty of room to improve. The good news? The cupboard isn’t bare here. Linemen Carson Tujague and Tyree Morris, linebacker Bronson Olevao and safety Brevin Hamblin headline five returning starters for coordinator Nick Howell. Also, look for transfers in linebacker Harrison Taggart, safety Chapman Lewis, and cornerbacks Antonio Bluiett and Markie Grant to make an impact in ‘26.

The Cougars are on their third coach in three seasons with Kirby Moore hired following Jimmy Rogers’ departure to Iowa State. For Washington State to go bowling in Moore’s first year, the offense will have to carry this team. The defense returns zero starters for new coordinator Trent Bray but landed a handful of impact transfers, including safety Jeremiah Bernard (Cal Poly) and defensive linemen Matyus McLain (Idaho) and Linus Zunk (Vanderbilt). Moore and coordinator Matt Miller have a stronger foundation to start the rebuilding process on offense. Running back Kirby Vorhees and receiver Tony Freeman headline the key returners at the skill spots with left tackle Ashton Tripp back to anchor a line with solid experience. Cal Poly transfer Caden Pinnick and redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman will continue to battle for the starting quarterback job into the fall.

After a 9-4 record in coach Matt Entz’s first season, Fresno State has its sights set on another step forward and an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship in ‘26. With 12 returning starters, along with a crucial Oct. 10 home matchup against Boise State, the Bulldogs have the right pieces in place to contend for the conference title. Six starters are back from a defense that limited teams to 18.8 points a contest last season and is poised to rank near the top of the Pac-12. In addition to a strong defense, Entz’s team features one of the Pac-12’s top backfields with Rayshon Luke and Bryson Danielson returning, along with three starters up front to form a solid offensive line. Quarterback play is the team’s biggest concern. Maryland transfer Khristian Martin and junior Jayden Mandal will continue their battle into the fall, with Martin holding an edge for the No. 1 spot.

The Aztecs made a six-game jump in the win column last season, improving from 3-9 in coach Sean Lewis’ debut to 9-4 and just missing a chance to play for the Mountain West title. With seven starters back on offense, the pieces are in place for another step forward. A ground game that averaged nearly 200 yards a contest last season returns standout running back Lucky Sutton (1,297 yards) and talented backups in Christian Washington and Colorado State transfer Javion Kinnard. Quarterback Jayden Denegal is back and healthy after a nagging shoulder injury in ‘25, while receivers Jacob Bostick and Jordan Napier are also on the mend after major knee ailments last fall. A defense that ranked No. 7 nationally in success rate and limited teams to 15.4 points a game is undergoing plenty of changes with just three returning starters. Also, Rob Aurich’s departure to San Diego State prompted Lewis to stay in-house and promote Demetrius Sumler to coordinator. Standout edge rusher Trey White and cornerback Chris Johnson will be missed.

The Broncos are a heavy favorite to win the Pac-12 and rank as the No. 1 team among Group of 6 conferences in 2026. Quarterback Maddux Madsen and the one-two punch of running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines headline an offense that averaged nearly 30 points (29.9) a game last year. Three starters are back to form the foundation of arguably the top offensive line in the Pac-12, but Madsen needs new targets at receiver to emerge after the team’s top three statistical options departed. Four starters are back from a defense that ranked No. 30 nationally in success rate last year. Headlining this unit is standout edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan (13 TFL in ‘25). How new faces emerge at linebacker and in the secondary will determine just how effective this defense is again in ‘26. A road trip to Oregon in Week 1 is a chance to make an early statement.

Boise State over San Diego State

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Pac-12 Football 2026 Predictions

Boise State over San Diego State

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