{
  "id": 6254411,
  "title": "Pac-12 football power rankings: Boise State clearly No. 1, but then what?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/pac-12-football-power-rankings-boise-state-clearly-no-1-but-then-what",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-08T08:17:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pac-12-football-power-rankings-081726303.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pac-12 football season kicked off with mixed results, but Boise State emerged as a clear standout, despite suffering a loss to Oregon in Week 1. The Broncos, entering the game as the top-ranked team, nearly defeated a national championship contender, showcasing their ability to compete against the best in the country. This strong performance has positioned Boise State as the frontrunner for a Group of Six College Football Playoff spot, despite not winning their season opener.\n\nColorado State (1-0) demonstrated strength in their Week 1 victory over Wyoming, scoring 35-13 and setting the tone for their season. They will now aim to match last season's win total with a win against Southern Utah in Week 2.\n\nSan Diego State (1-0) bounced back from a slow start with a dominant 33-point win against Portland State, showcasing the growth of their offense. Quarterback Jayden Denegal's improvement is a positive sign, and they hope to start their season with a 2-0 record against UCLA.\n\nWashington State (0-1) suffered a loss to Washington, but there is still potential in their offense. The team will look to bounce back against Kansas State in Week 2.\n\nOregon State (0-1) entered the season with high hopes after a dismal 2025, and they showed promise in their Week 1 loss to Houston. With JaMarcus Shepard potentially emerging as a key player, they could be better than initially thought. Their next game against Texas Tech will be a crucial test.\n\nTexas State (0-1) endured a disappointing loss to Texas, but their offensive explosion may have been more a reflection of Texas' strong performance. They will face UTSA in their next matchup.\n\nFresno State (0-1) suffered a devastating loss to Southern California, their first shutout since 1944, and a season to forget. They will look to start anew against Sacramento State.\n\nUtah State (0-1) was one of three FBS teams to lose to FCS competition, with a tough 29-17 defeat against Idaho State. Despite outgaining their opponent 407 yards to 241, key mistakes led to their loss. This loss, coupled with their previous FCS defeat, suggests a challenging year ahead for Bronco Mendenhall and his team.",
  "summary": "After nearly taking down Oregon, Boise State is the clear frontrunner in the Pac-12 and favorite for the College Football Playoff.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Texas football Week 2: 5 things to know about the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/texas-football-week-2-5-things-to-know-about-the-top-ranked-ohio",
        "published": "2026-09-07T10:50:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}