Pac-12 football power rankings: Boise State clearly No. 1, but then what?

Pac-12 football power rankings: Boise State clearly No. 1, but then what?

Key points

• Mike Norvell, Luke Fickell and Lincoln Riley lead the list of coaches facing pressure entering the 2026 college football season.
• College football Week 1 Flop 10: Michigan's clock, Pac-12's return, FCS upsets.
• Nevertheless, it wasn't a stellar debut for the league with a 2-6 mark in Week 1.
• Lincoln Riley joins coaches facing major pressure in 2026.
• The Broncos went into Autzen Stadium and almost took down a national championship contender.

Pac-12 football power rankings: Boise State clearly No. 1, but then what? Jordan Mendoza USA TODAY. Lincoln Riley joins coaches facing major pressure in 2026.

Mike Norvell, Luke Fickell and Lincoln Riley lead the list of coaches facing pressure entering the 2026 college football season. Pac-12 football 2.0 has arrived.

For context, the conference has been restored with its eight football members beginning the new era, all trying to take that next step in their program while trying to bring the Pac-12 back to relevance.

Nevertheless, it wasn't a stellar debut for the league with a 2-6 mark in Week 1. There were plenty of blowouts and tough losses scattered around. Nevertheless, within those defeats, a true contender emerged, and that's why a team that didn't even win its season-opener already has taken the top spot in the reimagined Pac-12.

College football Week 1 Flop 10: Michigan's clock, Pac-12's return, FCS upsets. 1. Boise State (0-1). Week 1 result: Loss vs. No. 2 Oregon, 34-27.

What to know: No. 1 after a loss? You better believe it. The Broncos went into Autzen Stadium and almost took down a national championship contender. It indicated Boise State can compete with some of the best in the country, putting it at the forefront for a Group of Six College Football Playoff spot despite not winning. The Week 2 game against Memphis will be for the lead in the G6 race.

Taken together, the developments around pac-12 football power rankings: Boise State clearly No. 1, but then what? Point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.