Week eight has concluded and with that, teams are starting to reach bowl eligibility and officially be eliminated from bowl contention. Some teams were looking to find their footing after disappointing results the prior week, while others were looking to continue the momentum they had built. Red-hot Oregon State was on a bye this past week, while Fresno State looked to use the bye week to get back on track after consecutive losses. Let's take a look at how the other six PAC-12 team did and how their results impact this week's power rankings.
It was far from perfect, but there were some encouraging signs in Boise State's 31–10 road victory over Washington State in Pullman. The Bronco offense was shaky through the first three quarters, struggling to run the ball consistently and dropping passes, something that had not been much of an issue before the bye. However, the tackling looked better, and this was arguably Boise State's best defensive performance of the year. The Broncos held freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman to fewer than 200 passing yards, and the Cougars managed just 1.6 yards per carry. The defensive line did an excellent job of dominating the line of scrimmage and applying consistent pressure on Eshelman.
On the offensive side of the ball, it was a slow start. Quarterback Maddux Madsen looked a little rusty coming off the bye, and his receivers didn't help matters, dropping several passes. The running game helped keep the offense moving early, with Sire Gaines making some key runs. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that the nation's leading rusher got going, as Dylan Riley broke off two long touchdown runs to help the Broncos pull away.
(The Beavers were on a bye, here is last week's entry)
Another week, another offensive explosion for the Beavers. Oregon State once again looked solid in its 48–30 win over Washington State. Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree had another great week, but running back AJ Newberry stole the spotlight. Newberry had a career game, rushing for 105 yards on just 11 carries while adding 120 receiving yards on five receptions. While it was a convincing win, we did see a bit of a chink in the armor, as Washington State was able to move the ball effectively and put some points on the board. Oregon State has an intriguing matchup after its bye this week, as the Beavers will hit the road to take on Fresno State.
The top two spots are pretty clear, but things get much murkier after that. Texas State is coming off consecutive wins and is still technically in the race for the PAC-12 title. Despite a shaky showing at home against Utah State, the Bobcats narrowly held on to the No. 3 spot.
It was a rough offensive performance for a team that has looked unstoppable in recent weeks. In their 20–17 victory, the Bobcats managed just 250 yards of total offense and were outgained by a Utah State offense that has struggled throughout the season. Fortunately, the defense stepped up, and a kickoff return for a touchdown proved to be the difference.
While it wasn't pretty, a win is a win, and the Bobcats hold on to the No. 3 spot. However, the real test is just beginning. Texas State now faces a brutal two-week stretch with back-to-back road trips to Boise State and Oregon State, the top two teams in the league. The Bobcats will have little room for error against two of the conference's toughest opponents, and their offense will need to be much sharper if they hope to compete. This upcoming gauntlet will reveal whether Texas State is a legitimate PAC-12 title contender or if it still has ground to catch up with the league's elite.
(The Bulldogs were on a bye, here is last week's entry)
Over the years, many of Boise State's rivals have struggled with a bit of a "hangover" effect the week after facing the Broncos. Maybe that was the problem for the Bulldogs this week. Whatever the reason, it was really strange to see this from a Matt Entz-coached team. They looked undisciplined at times, and for the second consecutive week, they really struggled with their tackling. For a few weeks, the Bulldogs looked like legitimate contenders with a quarterback who could lead them to success. Now, they look like a team that was simply benefiting from a soft schedule to open the season.
It is hard to believe that the worst defense in the country belongs to the fifth-best team in the conference. However, this is a different Rams team with a different swagger when Hauss Hejny is under center. Colorado State put up an impressive 56 points in its victory over San Diego State on Saturday night, with Hejny accounting for three touchdowns through the air and two on the ground. This offense is fun to watch, showcasing creativity and explosiveness that make the Rams a dangerous team when they have the ball.
Unfortunately, the defense has been a major liability, ruining what could have been a resurgent season in Fort Collins. Still, this weekend's win comes at a crucial time, as the Rams have an opportunity to turn things around and make a push for bowl eligibility. If Hejny can keep this offense rolling and the defense can find a way to make a few more stops, Colorado State could still salvage its season.
Saturday was just another chapter in what has been a puzzling season for the Aztecs. They were coming off what looked like a season-altering win over rival Fresno State, only to follow it up with a complete defensive letdown in Fort Collins. San Diego State surrendered 56 points and struggled to contain Hauss Hejny and the explosive Colorado State offense.
At this point, injuries are no longer an excuse. The team was largely healthy and ready to go, while the offense finally seems to be finding its footing under the leadership of freshman quarterback Stone Saunders. Unfortunately, the defensive struggles continue to hold the Aztecs back. San Diego State has a chance to get back on track this weekend when it hosts Washington State, but the defense will need to show significant improvement if the Aztecs hope to avoid another disappointing performance.
The Aggies missed a golden opportunity on the road this weekend in their 20–17 loss to Texas State. The Utah State defense rose to the occasion, holding an explosive Bobcat offense to just 250 total yards and 13 points. However, offensive struggles continue to haunt this year's squad, and special teams blunders proved too much to overcome. A first-quarter kickoff return for a touchdown and a missed field goal as time expired proved to be the difference in a game Utah State should have won.
Bronco Mendenhall's squad continues to struggle with inconsistency. Last year, the Aggies had the offense but lacked the defense. This year, the script has flipped. The defense is keeping them competitive, but the offense has yet to find the consistency needed to capitalize on those performances.
After an encouraging offensive performance in Corvallis the week prior, I expected more from the Cougars this past weekend. While the defense did everything it could to keep the game close through three quarters, the offensive issues emerged once again. After an excellent performance the previous week, freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman struggled to get comfortable in the pocket. He was too eager to use his feet, which led to some questionable decision-making.
However, the team's biggest issue continues to be its inability to establish a rushing attack. The Cougars managed just 1.6 yards per carry against the Broncos and finished with only 244 total yards of offense after exploding for 459 yards the week before. Fans are already calling for Kirby Moore's job. Can his coaching staff turn things around and give fans more reason for optimism heading into the 2027 season?
How would you rank each of the PAC-12 teams? Should Oregon State be in the top spot after Boise State's shaky performance? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
