Pac teams open Week 1 against five ranked opponents
Five pac teams open the 2026 season against AP Preseason Top 25 opponents—more than any other FBS conference—as the rebuilt Pac-12 debuts with Boise State atop power rankings and new broadcast tools like Field Pass mic'd-up access. Week 1 is the first real measuring stick for the eight-team league.
Key Takeaways
- Five of eight pac teams face preseason Top 25 foes this weekend, including two Top 5 matchups.
- KSL Sports ranks Boise State No. 1, followed by San Diego State and Texas State.
- Three programs debut new head coaches: Jim Mora, JaMarcus Shepherd and Kirby Moore.
- Pac-12 Field Pass and live replay-booth looks expand fan access on national broadcasts.
According to the Pac-12 Conference, Week 1 runs Friday through Sunday and stacks the league against five ranked opponents—the most of any FBS conference—and the only slate with two Top 5 tests. Over the first four weeks, conference schools have nine total games versus AP Preseason Top 25 teams.
Which pac teams face the toughest Week 1 tests?
Friday, Fresno State visits No. 14 USC on FOX. Saturday brings Oregon State at No. 23 Houston (ESPN), Texas State at No. 5 Texas (ESPN), and Boise State at No. 2 Oregon (CBS). Sunday, Washington State meets No. 17 Washington on NBC in the Apple Cup opener.
Wyoming visits Colorado State, Idaho State plays at Utah State, and Portland State faces San Diego State in the remaining openers. Of the Pac-12's 24 non-conference FBS games this season, 20 are against 2025 bowl-eligible teams, including three College Football Playoff participants.
Who leads the early power rankings for pac teams?
KSL Sports places Boise State first after three straight Mountain West titles, citing experienced quarterback Maddux Madsen. San Diego State is second with All-Mountain West back Lucky Sutton and quarterback Jayden Denegal. Texas State ranks third behind dual-threat Brad Jackson and 1,000-yard receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr.
Fresno State, Utah State, Oregon State, Washington State and Colorado State fill spots four through eight. The Pac-12 notes Boise State is the only FBS school to win its conference championship game in each of the last three years under Spencer Danielson.
How is new broadcast tech changing coverage of pac teams?
Beyond the on-field slate, the conference is rolling out fan-facing production upgrades tracked in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. 247Sports reports Pac-12 Field Pass will deliver mic'd-up coach and player audio during games, reviewed quickly for live use with broadcast partners.
Viewers will also get live looks into the Pac-12 command center during replay reviews, plus an on-air rules expert. A new officiating communications policy may produce public statements on game-ending calls or major mechanics errors by the end of the following day. Under media deals with CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports, every Pac-12 home game will air on national linear television.
Three of eight teams also start with new coaches: Mora at Colorado State, Shepherd at Oregon State and Moore at Washington State—adding another layer of uncertainty as Week 1 answers land.