Every summer since 2007 I have created an intricate set of college football predictions for each upcoming season. This year is no exception, as I will be using my blog over the next few hours to publish my 20th annual college football preview guide which will contain 20 entries in all. The records below reflect each team’s predicted regular season overall record followed by their conference record. These records include conference title games but exclude bowl games, which will be previewed later on in a separate column on this blog. The teams marked in bold font are the ones predicted to gain bowl eligibility this season and the one marked in italics is my predicted conference champion. Below you will see my predictions for the Pac-12 which is returning after a two year hiatus but has been relegated out of the Power 5 into to a Group of Six conference now. Let me just add that I love the fact that this league is returning, as the Pac-12 was always the most interesting conference to me growing up as a sports fan. The one complaint about the new league I have is that if they are only going to have eight teams, they should call themselves the Pac-8, which of course was the original name of the Pac-12! When the league had eight members (Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, UCLA, Southern Cal, California, and Stanford), it was called the Pac-8. When they added Arizona and Arizona State, it naturally became the Pac-10. When Colorado and Utah were added in 2011, it became the Pac-12. Conference names should make sense, which is why I think it is ridiculous that the Big 10 has 18 teams and the Big 12 has 16 teams. With that being said, I understand that it is somewhat of a hassle to change a conference name every time you add or subtract a team. However, in this case, call the league by its original conference name which is also makes sense numerically, the Pac-8! Ok, that’s my soapbox rant for the day. Now on to my predictions.

1	Boise State (11-2, 6-1)– conference champion/CFP Participant

Last Year’s Record: 9-5 (My 2025 prediction: 11-2)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Wide Receiver

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs.Memphis (September 12)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Fresno State (October 10)

Bottom Line: The Broncos are my pick to be the Group of Six representative in the College Football Playoff this year not necessarily because I think they will be incredible, though they should be very good, but more because I don’t really envision anyone else getting there. I am projecting of all of my Group of Six champions to have at least two losses in 2026 and because one of Boise’s losses will be to a top 10 Oregon squad they should have the best overall resume of the other Group of Six CFP contenders. In fact, their only only logical competitor for the spot is the American Athletic champion, and I envision that league to be wide open this year with the eventual champion having at least two losses. I do think the Broncos pick up a second loss in Fresno, but I believe as long as they win the rest of their games and look decently well doing it, they should be able to earn a CFP bid this season.

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2	San Diego State (9-4, 6-1)- conference runner-up

Last Year’s Record: 9-4 (My 2025 prediction: 5-7)

Positional Strength: Running Back

Positional Weakness: Defensive Backfield

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at UCLA (September 10)- always good to catch an opponent who is going through a coaching transition early in the season

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Fresno State (November 28)

Bottom Line: Sean Lewis is once again proving his coaching acumen with this program. From 2018-2022, he transformed Kent State from one of the worst teams in America into a bowl squad. Then last year, two seasons after inheriting a 4-8 dumpster fire in San Diego, he led the Aztecs to a 9-3 campaign in which they were a heartbreaking loss away from playing in the 2025 Mountain West title game. Lewis’ squad should be very good again in 2026, as they return their starting quarterback, running back, and top four receivers from 2025. They did lose quite a bit on defense though, which is why I just can’t pick them to beat Boise in the Mountain West title game.

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3	Fresno State (8-4, 4-3)

Last Year’s Record: 9-4 (My 2025 prediction: 7-5)

Positional Strength: Defensive Backfield

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Boise State (October 10)- the Bulldogs dominated the Broncos on the road last year so they appear to have their number

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Washington State (October 3)

Bottom Line: After a disappointing first season, Matt Entz (pictured above) turned things around in year 2 with the Bulldogs, leading them to a 9-4 season that included a bowl victory and a dominant win over the eventual league champion in Boise. This season, Fresno returns a loaded backfield, led by Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson, after ranking among the nation’s best rushing offenses a year ago. Maryland transfer Khristian Martin takes over at quarterback and will be tasked with cutting down on turnovers while adding more of a downfield passing threat. The Bulldogs week 1 matchup at USC will tell us a lot about whether this team is ready to compete for a conference title and CFP bid or if they are still a step or two away from being an elite Group of Six program. Expect another solid, but not quite spectacular, season in the San Joaquin Valley this season.

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3	Washington State (6-6, 4-3)

Last Year’s Record: 7-6 (My 2025 prediction: 5-7)

Positional Strength: Wide Receiver

Positional Weakness: Linebacker

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Fresno State (October 3)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Oregon State (October 17)

Bottom Line: Kirby Moore, formerly Missouri’s offensive coordinator, takes over as Washington State’s third head coach in as many years, aiming to reignite the Cougars’ passing attack after a 7-6 finish. UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick is the favorite at quarterback, throwing to newcomers Tank Hawkins and Darrius Clemons, while the defense was almost entirely rebuilt through the transfer portal. With a new coach, new conference, and largely new roster, Washington State is one of the league’s bigger unknowns entering the season. However, it seems like this squad typically finished right around .500 every season, so I am calling that trend to continue in 2026.

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3	Oregon State (5-7, 4-3)

Last Year’s Record: 2-10 (My 2025 prediction: 6-6)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Running Back

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Washington State (October 17)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at UTEP (September 26)

Bottom Line: The Beavers were uncharacteristically dreadful last season leading to the firing of Trent Bray after just 19 games at the helm. Jamarcus Shepard is a little bit of a wildcard hire as he comes in with no prior head coaching experience. However, this year’s squad has too much experience and talent on for it to sink the cellar of FBS again, especially with a returning senior quarterback who has had success on the FBS level in Maalik Murphy. Expect a step forward this year in Corvallis, even if it doesn’t quite equate to a bowl game.

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6	Texas State (6-6, 3-4)

Last Year’s Record: 7-6 (My 2025 prediction: 7-5)- nailed my prediction for the Bobcats last season!

Positional Strength: Wide Receiver

Positional Weakness: Offensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. UTSA (September 12)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Oregon State (November 7)- this will be a long difficult trip to Corvallis after having to travel to Boise the week prior.

Bottom Line: Expect the Bobcats to light up scoreboards with a high octane passing attack like usual but the defense will once again be the achilles heel for this squad. I believe Texas State will find a way to a fourth straight bowl game in 2026, but I expect a slight step back in the win column upon moving into a tougher league.

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7	Utah State (3-9, 1-6)

Last Year’s Record: 6-7 (My 2025 prediction: 6-6)- another pick that I was all over from last year

Positional Strength: Offensive Line

Positional Weakness: Running Back

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Troy (September 26)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Oregon State (November 21)

Bottom Line: Bronco Mendenhall is a great coach who achieved immediate success in his first season with the Aggies last year. So why am I so down on Utah State in 2026 you might ask? First of all, the Aggies face a brutal schedule in which they will likely be an underdog in 3 of their 4 non-conference games (at Washington, at Utah, and vs. Troy) and over half of their conference contests as well (at Boise, at Texas State, at San Diego State, vs. Fresno State, etc). In addition, the Aggies must break-in a new starting quarterback while also losing their top two receivers from 2025, as well as their top two rushers. They actually return a decent amount on defense but that isn’t necessarily a good thing when you have a defense that ranked 129th out of 136 FBS teams last season. Expect a sophomore slump for Mendenhall and his Aggies in 2026.

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8	Colorado State (2-10, 0-7)

Last Year’s Record: 2-10 (My 2025 prediction: 9-3)- I was just a little too high on the Rams last season, lol.

Positional Strength: Running Back

Positional Weakness: Offensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Texas State (November 28)- all Pac-12 teams are playing a flex game to end the season, so this opponent could change. However, I am calling for the Rams to salvage an otherwise dismal season with a big win in their season finale

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Wyoming (September 5)- the Border War will be a really interesting week 1 non-conference matchup this season

Bottom Line: Jay Norvell seemed to have things going in the right direction in Fort Collins after the 2024 campaign in which the Rams played in their first bowl game since 2017. Then, the wheels completely fell off last year and Norvell was fired midseason. Now, Jim Mora takes over this program after a successful stint in UConn. Mora should eventually be able to get things going here, as Colorado State has underachieved for far too long now. However, this will likely be a rough transition season for the Rams, as this squad must adjust to new schemes while also identifying and breaking-in a new quarterback and replacing 18 starters from last year’s squad, including their leading receiver, top five rushers, and seven of their eight leading tacklers.

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