Welcome to the Hotline’s remaining weekly evaluation of the eight groups within the rebuilt Pac-12. We are going to publish a males’s basketball model starting subsequent week that may seem all through the rest of the common season.
(Listed below are final week’s rankings.)
What higher technique to finish our season-long evaluation of a convention that doesn’t exist than by handing out very actual hypothetical awards?
The eight groups that make up the long run Pac-12 produced standout performances throughout three months however a hefty variety of clunkers, as nicely.
Put one other method: The convention will begin the 2026 season taking part in from behind towards the American within the race for a Faculty Soccer Playoff berth.
The Hotline sorted by way of the brilliance and the carnage that unfolded to pick our first annual postseason honors for the Pac-12 2.0.
Right here we go …
Coach of the Yr: San Diego State’s Sean Lewis. A straightforward name given the Aztecs’ momentous year-over-year enchancment in Lewis’ second season. If not for an early-season derailment at Washington State that continues to mystify, they’d have been within the CFP dialogue all through November. And if not for the Mountain West’s uncommon course of for selecting its championship sport individuals (a mean of the pc rankings), the Aztecs might need performed for the crown.
Offensive Participant of the Yr: San Diego State tailback Fortunate Sutton. The newest in SDSU’s lengthy line of stellar tailbacks, Sutton rushed for 1,237 yards and 10 touchdowns, with six video games of at the very least 100 yards on the bottom. The Aztecs had one of many worst aerial assaults within the nation. With out Sutton, their 9-3 document would have been nearer to 3-9.
Defensive Participant of the Yr: Washington State linebacker Parker McKenna. The guts of a better-than-advertised protection, McKenna led the Cougars in tackles and was important to a unit that completed thirtieth nationally in yards-per-play allowed regardless of a rugged schedule. The Cougars held SDSU to 13 factors, Mississippi to 24 and Virginia to 22. And McKenna was in the course of all of it.
To the facility rankings …
1. Boise State (9-4)
End result: beat UNLV 38-21 (Mountain West championship)
Subsequent up: bowl sport
Remark: We moved the Broncos to the highest spot and are awarding them the hypothetical convention title after they gained the Mountain West’s actual one. Sure, Boise State misplaced the head-to-head duel with San Diego State within the Snapdragon slop, however they had been with out quarterback Maddux Madsen. When he’s wholesome, the Broncos are the very best group — or could be the very best group … or no matter. (Earlier: 2)
2. San Diego State (9-3)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: bowl sport
Remark: A stellar season ended with the pc rankings stopping SDSU from taking part in for the Mountain West title. That doesn’t detract from the Yr 2 turnaround below Sean Lewis that has the Aztecs completely positioned to thrive as soon as the Pac-12 comes on-line subsequent fall. And so they managed to retain Lewis regardless of all of the teaching vacancies alongside the West Coast. (Earlier: 1)
3. Washington State (6-6)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: bowl sport
Remark: The Cougars misplaced coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State in a shock growth Friday night time. Alas, they’ve a number of high quality substitute choices and a president who cares. (Our recommendation: Await Montana State coach Brent Vigen.) In the meantime, interim coach Jesse Bobbit will get WSU prepared for its ninth bowl sport prior to now 10 (non-COVID) seasons. (Earlier: 3)
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4. Fresno State (8-4)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: bowl sport
Remark: The Bulldogs had been probably the most erratic groups on this imagined convention, with a lopsided loss to Colorado State and a blowout win at Boise State as examples of their inconsistency. All in all, they need to be happy with their trajectory In Yr 1 below Matt Entz and constructed loads of momentum for Yr 1 within the new Pac-12. (Earlier: 4)
5. Utah State (6-6)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: bowl sport
Remark: The choice to rent Bronco Mendenhall away from New Mexico seems even smarter now than it did final winter. The Aggies aren’t merely bowl-eligible; they had been 4 factors away from beating UNLV and Boise State down the stretch and presumably taking part in for the Mountain West championship. That momentum ought to carry nicely into the offseason. (Earlier: 5)
6. Texas State (6-6)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: bowl sport
Remark: On the intense facet, the Bobcats had been mediocre sufficient to chill coach GJ Kinne’s market worth in a scorching hiring cycle that has created openings throughout the Southern sweep of the FBS. However there may be work forward for Texas State if this system plans to complete on the highest tier of its new convention. (Earlier: 6)
7. Oregon State (2-10)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: season full
Remark: The Hotline is considerably skeptical of the JaMarcus Shephard rent, largely as a result of he can be a rookie head coach wading right into a convention stocked with confirmed veterans. That dynamic locations that rather more emphasis on OSU’s monetary wherewithal to assist income sharing and NIL. Additionally, we’re deeply interested in his selection for defensive coordinator. (Earlier: 7)
8. Colorado State (2-10)
End result: didn’t play
Subsequent up: season full
Remark: The Rams served discover that they’re critical about profitable by hiring Jim Mora, a transfer that immediately added legitimacy to their program after a tough season. We’ll give Mora two years to inventory the roster and implement his system. By the beginning of 2028, he ought to have the items in place to contend for the Pac-12 title. (Earlier: 8)
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