The latest power rankings for the Pac-12 reveal that San Diego State remains in the top position, even after suffering a substantial defeat against Hawaii with a score of 38-6. This week”s rankings come as the eight teams in the restructured conference contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
As of early November, the conference appears to be in a precarious situation, effectively eliminated from the playoff race. While the official formation of the new Pac-12 won”t occur until next summer, the current grouping of teams has faltered in its quest for a strong playoff bid, particularly due to San Diego State“s recent loss.
With two losses now on their record, the Aztecs stand out as the only potential playoff contender among the future Pac-12 teams, with all other competitors having at least three losses. This situation complicates their standing in the College Football Playoff considerations, particularly when factoring in the competitive nature of teams from the American Athletic Conference.
Despite their defeat, San Diego State“s earlier victory over California gained value when the Bears upset No. 14 Louisville. Nonetheless, the Aztecs must contend with two significant defeats against teams outside the Power Four, namely Washington State and Hawaii.
As the regular season approaches its conclusion, here are this week”s power rankings:
- San Diego State (7-2) – Result: lost at Hawaii 38-6. Next up: vs. Boise State at 7:30 PM on CBS Sports Network. Comment: Retaining the top spot after a blowout loss speaks volumes about the state of the conference.
- Fresno State (6-3) – Result: did not play. Next up: vs. Wyoming at 7:30 PM on FS1. Comment: Hard to elevate them after a recent loss to San Diego State.
- Boise State (6-3) – Result: did not play. Next up: at San Diego State at 7:30 PM on CBS Sports Network. Comment: Current position reflects head-to-head results.
- Washington State (4-5) – Result: did not play. Next up: vs. Louisiana Tech at 7 PM on The CW. Comment: A loss this week would set up a must-win situation against James Madison next week.
- Utah State (5-4) – Result: beat Nevada 51-14. Next up: at UNLV at 4 PM on CBS Sports Network. Comment: With a tough schedule ahead, they need one more win for bowl eligibility.
- Texas State (3-6) – Result: lost at Louisiana 42-39. Next up: at Southern Mississippi at 12:30 PM on ESPN+. Comment: The trajectory has not been as expected since their summer invitation.
- Oregon State (2-8) – Result: lost to Sam Houston State 21-17. Next up: at Tulsa at 10 AM on ESPN+. Comment: Losing to an previously winless team marks a significant low point in their season.
- Colorado State (2-7) – Result: lost at New Mexico 42-10. Next up: at New Mexico at 12 PM on Mountain West Network. Comment: Options for the bottom of the rankings are plentiful this week.
As the season progresses, the prospects for playoff contention remain bleak for the teams in the restructured Pac-12.
