By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports
The Pac-12 race is getting intriguing. Boise State and Oregon State lead the pack, but Texas State is still in the hunt with an epic chance this week.
If the Bobcats keep playing solid, it will look good for the conference. But hopefully, they wait one more week.
Nonetheless, the fifth week of league play is here, and the fight for the College Football Playoff continues. It’s time to deliver some “Sweet Chin Music” come bowl season.
The most important game on the Pac-12 slate this week is Texas State at Boise State.
If the Broncos win, they should remain the favorite Group of Six team for the CFP. If TXST wins, they instantly climb the conference standings.
The second most important matchup this week is Oregon State at Fresno State. The Beavers look to stay atop the conference, while the Bulldogs hope to snap a two-game losing streak.
Rounding out the slate are Colorado State at Utah State and Washington State at San Diego State.
Colorado State at Utah State
Saturday, October 31st
12:30 PM PT, USA Network
Colorado State enters this game after an interesting season start. They beat San Diego State last week, but lost four straight before that.
Utah State almost beat Texas State last week but fell a little short. They beat Washington State previously. The key to this matchup is how Utah State’s offense plays. The Aggies’ defense is solid; they held the Bobcats to 20 points last week.
USU’s stopper unit can probably hold the Rams for a while, but if their offense proves lethargic, things could get out of control. In Hauss Hejny’s return last week, CSU scored 56 points.
If Utah State scores 28, that might be enough to win. Colorado State is last nationally in points allowed per game; if the Aggies can’t score against them, they’ll likely struggle the rest of the year.
Grady Brosterhous played a tad better against TXST, finishing with 200 throwing yards and no interceptions. They also played without their best wideout Eli Wood, Anthony Garcia stepped up in Wood’s absence finishing with eight receptions for 87 yards.
For Colorado State, Hejny threw for 333 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The combination of Mel Brown, Tommy Maher, and Hejny may prove too much to overcome.
Washington State at San Diego State
Saturday, October 31st
4:00 PM PT, CBS Sports
Washington State enters this matchup after a tough game against Boise State, but they got outpaced in the fourth quarter. The Cougars are 1-7 and desperately need a win this weekend.
San Diego State enters this contest after an unsettling loss to Colorado State. The defeat stymied any momentum from their win over Fresno State.
The key to this matchup is whether the Aztecs play like they still have a chance at a bowl game. A loss this week, though, kills everything, considering they still have Boise State on their slate.
It could also lead to Sean Lewis’s firing. Both teams are in a bad spot, but SDSU has more pressure because WSU’s season is pretty much over. Playing for seniors is a thing of the past; most of these guys have been on campus for less than two years.
Stone Saunders also must play well for San Diego State; if he steps up, they’ll probably have enough firepower to pull away. The Rams defense is last nationally in points allowed per game, though, so the Cougs should prove a stiffer task.
Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard also played last week; they combined for 192 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. A result here is everything for the Aztecs.
Texas State at No. 20 Boise State
Saturday, October 31st
7:00 PM PT, CW
If Texas State wins this matchup, the Pac-12 landscape changes. The Bobcats enter this game off a close win against Utah State; their defense held the Aggies to 17 points.
If they can replicate that against Boise State, it could make their upset bid come to fruition. TXST probably feels like it should still be undefeated in the conference, but a win over the Broncos would erase the loss to San Diego State.
For BSU, it’s the usual thing. Boise State has already played multiple upstart teams who’ve tried to make a name for themselves on The Blue, and that’s usually that. The key to this contest is the Broncos’ physicality.
Texas State’s halfback Torrance Burgess Jr. is phenomenal; he’s second nationally in rushing yards per game. But he’s not their only weapon. Brad Jackson is also a solid leader.
Jackson has thrown for 1,606 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2026. He has also added 382 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. are his favorite targets to throw to.
Boise State will try to control the tempo with their offensive line, defense, and the combination of Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines. Maddux Madsen is also on a roll.
Oregon State at Fresno State
Saturday, October 31st
8:00 PM PT, USA Network
The Pac-12 Team of the Year faces a huge test this weekend. Oregon State may be undefeated in conference, but Valley Children’s is a tough place to win.
The Beavers enter this matchup off a bye and after defeating Washington State. Fresno State is probably gonna be in a bad mood this week. They’re also coming off a bye, but they previously lost to rival San Diego State.
This might be the last chance the Bulldogs get to make a statement against a brand-name team, so they’ll be ready. The key to this matchup is whether Fresno can stop the duo of Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree.
This tandem is setting Pac-12 foes ablaze, and if they strike quickly, it could rattle the Bulldogs. The best way for Fresno State to limit this duo is by getting their ground game going. This is the best halfback combo OSU’s seen since league play started.
The Bulldogs’ rushing attack is off-kilter this year, but they need it now. Atkinson leads the nation in yards per game; Jayden Mandal will get outpaced in a shootout. It’s time for the trio of Rayshon Luke, Bryson Donelson, and Josiah Freeman to take over a game.
The Beavers will light up the Valley if they’re caught napping.
Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.
