Updated September 2, 2026
After a brief hiatus, the PAC-12 is back as a part of the college football landscape. With some new teams joining Oregon State and Washington, we will finally get to see some PAC-12 After Dark, with teams trying to earn a conference title in the league's return to the national stage. Here, we break down the PAC-12 futures markets and make our pick to win the league this season.
The Boise State Broncos have been one of the top teams in the Mountain West Conference for many years. But they are now a part of the PAC-12 and will try to prove that they are the class of their new league as well. Boise State is the market favorite to win the PAC-12 according to the Polymarket prediction market prices, in what should be a very interesting year on the blue turf in Boise.
Maddux Madsen is back at quarterback for the Broncos this year, giving them some important experience at that position. The Broncos might not be a College Football Playoff team again this season, but they will be expected to give the rest of the PAC-12 all it can handle.
San Diego State was also in the Mountain West before making the jump over to the Pac-12. The Aztecs finished in a four-way tie with Boise State atop the MWC standings a season ago. This year, they will have to contend with Boise State again, as they look to impose their will on the rest of their new conference.
The identity of San Diego State has been centered around their defense in recent seasons. The Aztecs allowed just over 15 points per game in the 2025 season. If they can shut down their competition again this year, their first season as a PAC-12 program could end with a conference title.
Texas State and Fresno State are also interesting pieces in the PAC-12 championship chase. Both of those teams are coming from other conferences, with Texas State coming from the Sun Belt and Fresno State from the Mountain West. And while neither managed to make their conference title games a season ago, they are expected to remain in contention to do so in the new-look Pac-12.
An old-school PAC-12 team is also expected to contend for the league title in 2026. Washington State was one of two programs that stuck with the PAC-12 when the rest of the league defected to other conferences. They will hope that loyalty pays off with a conference title this season.
Boise State is our pick to win this year's PAC-12 championship. There are a ton of variables to consider here, but the home-field advantage of the Broncos and their recent success against the other teams that have come from the Mountain West should help them get the job done in a new conference.
