Boise State Holds Pac-12 Top Spot as CFP Rankings Loom
The Broncos' dramatic win over Texas State secures their position, while Oregon State's loss to Fresno State nearly ends their playoff hopes.
By Julian Kobayashi ·
Boise State remains the Pac-12 standard-bearer heading into the first College Football Playoff rankings release this Tuesday. The Broncos entered Saturday as the conference's best team and exited the weekend without losing their grip on the top spot, despite a chaotic final minute against Texas State.
The Broncos defeated Texas State 46-45 in a game defined by a massive swing in momentum. Boise State held a 25-point lead at halftime but surrendered 36 consecutive points before rallying for the win. Backup quarterback Max Cutforth led the final drive, a performance that underscores the depth of the Broncos' roster even if starter Maddux Madsen is sidelined.
With a 7-1 record and four conference wins, Boise State is the only Pac-12 team with a realistic shot at a playoff bid. Their resume includes victories over Memphis and Western Michigan and a close loss to Oregon. The selection committee is expected to rank them as the highest Group of Six team, likely somewhere between No. 18 and No. 25.
The conference's other potential playoff contender, Oregon State, suffered a 16-point defeat to Fresno State. The Beavers fall to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play. With three losses on the season, their margin for error has vanished. To reach the playoff, they must win their final two games, both against Boise State, in order to secure a conference title.
Even if Oregon State wins out, their resume lacks the quality wins to survive a comparison with teams like New Mexico or UTSA. Their four victories this season came against teams with losing records: UTEP, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Washington State. All three losses were by double-digit margins, including the recent fall to Fresno State.
Fresno State rose to second place in the conference following their 38-22 victory over Oregon State. The Bulldogs, now 5-3, will face Utah State next. Utah State moved up to sixth after beating Colorado State 31-14, while Colorado State dropped to seventh and is effectively out of the bowl picture. San Diego State sits fourth at 4-5, and Texas State is fifth at 4-4.
Washington State remains last in the conference at 1-8 after a 26-20 loss to San Diego State. The Cougars are idle this week, as is San Diego State, which used its bye to rest after a grueling schedule.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune
