Pac-12 (2.0) power rankings: Texas State on top, Boise State stumbles, Washington State and Oregon State struggle

Welcome to a new feature on the Hotline an assessment of the eight teams in the rebuilt Pac- as if they were competing in the conference this season We ll even recognize one lucky company as the regular-season champion The power rankings will be published each Sunday throughout the regular season All times Pacific Texas State - Aftermath beat Eastern Michigan - Next up at UTSA p m on ESPN Comment The ground meeting was insane with yards on just carries If the Bobcats manage even half that production on a regular basis freshman quarterback Brad Jackson s job becomes immensely easier and the fictional Pac- title comes within easy reach And speaking of half that production Texas State rushed for yards last year in the blowout accomplishment over UTSA Utah State - Impact beat UTEP - Next up at Texas A M a m on SEC Setup Comment That Mendenhall magic did not take long to materialize It s a minimal weeks too early to pronounce a full turnaround underway in Logan but the earliest return is encouraging and we know quarterback Bryson Barnes the former Utah transfer is capable of leading the way Colorado State - Consequence lost at Washington - Next up vs Northern Colorado p m on Mountain West Setup Comment Fairly typical showing by the Rams against a power conference opponent a scarce big plays a meager big mistakes plenty of grit and moxie just not quite good enough to stand firm for four quarters But as it relates to success over the next three months there was plenty to like in the performance Fresno State - End beat Georgia Southern - Next up at Oregon State p m on The CW Comment We absolutely did not expect a blowout accomplishment against a veteran Sun Belt opponent that won eight games last season but the Week experience at Kansas undoubtedly helped the Bulldogs fix their flaws and hone their execution The impact of halftime coaching adjustments is often overstated but FSU s - margin in the third and fourth quarters Saturday night suggests Matt Entz and his staff made all the right moves Boise State - End lost at South Florida - Next up vs Eastern Washington Friday p m on FS Comment The Broncos still have a path into the College Football Playoff after face-planting in Tampa but need to dominate the Mountain West and look good at Notre Dame in October and they need USF to finish second or third in the American Good luck with all that San Diego State - Impact beat Stony Brook - Next up at Washington State p m on The CW Comment The Hotline is hesitant to draw any conclusions from the win over Stony Brook which competes in the Coastal Athletic Association of the FCS but coach Sean Lewis track record suggests the Aztecs will be markedly better this season Kent State improved by five wins from - to - in his second season with the Golden Flashes in A morsel of clarity will come this week Related Articles Saturday Night Five Drama in Washington blowouts elsewhere Pac- trouble ahead Cal s rookie QB and more Pac- media rights The CW mirrors CBS signs deal for football hoops Mailbag Mountain West survival odds CFP models and the Pac- lawsuit The SEC goes to Major implications for future CFP format Big teams That vexing college football calendar Changes coming to transfer portal spring practice and recruiting cycle Washington State - Effect beat Idaho - Next up vs San Diego State p m on The CW Comment Our expectations for the Cougars were low given the new coaching staff and inexperienced quarterbacks and roster turnover And still they didn t clear the bar How a band can run for three yards on attempts against an FCS opponent is beyond our comprehension even after watching it all unfold Oregon State - Conclusion lost to Cal - Next up vs Fresno State p m on The CW Comment Not to sound the alarm but we re sounding the alarm If the Beavers lose Saturday their first win might be a long long time coming The schedule turns more demanding in Week by an order of magnitude with trips to Texas Tech and Oregon and then a sneaky-tough home date with Houston Send suggestions comments and tips confidentiality guaranteed to wilnerhotline bayareanewsgroup com or call - - Follow me on the social media platform X WilnerHotline