NCAAF · 11 months ago

Ranking the New Pac-12 Football Programs

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Boise State Broncos
No Group of Five program deserves a spot in the Power Five more than the Boise State Broncos. For over 20 years, the Broncos have been knocking on the door as the pre-eminent Group of 5 football team. Now, they get to flex their muscles as the newest addition to the Pac-12.

Boise State hasn't had a losing record since the 1990s and has been at the forefront of the Mountain West Conference since joining in 2011. Since then, the Broncos have been to nine conference championship games and have claimed the MWC title five times.

An inferior Mountain West Conference schedule will no longer hold the Broncos back. Boise State can get out on the recruiting trail, boast about its inclusion in the Pac-12, and establish itself as a top Power Five juggernaut.

The future is bright for the Broncos, and they might finally start to get the respect they deserve.

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4. Colorado State Rams
As a football program, the Colorado State Ram's best days are behind them. CSU struggles to keep pace against its current Mountain West Competition, failing to post a winning season since 2017. As such, we're forecasting a sub-optimal outlook as the Rams begin their foray into Pac-12 play.

Jay Norvell is in his third season with the program but has yet to guide Colorado State back to a bowl game. His 5-7 finish last year was the best record since 2017, but the Rams are still perilously short of reclaiming their distinction as a top-tier program.

Colorado State boasts just seven current NFL-type players, the fewest among the Pac-12's newest additions. While the Rams may be able to lure some prospects to their ranks now that they are part of a Power Five conference, they won't reap the benefits of those fruits for years to come.

Hang tight, CSU. There's still a long way to go.

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3. San Diego State Aztecs
The 2010s were the pinnacle of the San Diego State Aztecs' football program. Rocky Long led SDSU to a promising 81-38 record, competing in the Mountain West Championship Game in five of his nine years as head coach. Brady Hoke couldn't parlay that into success when he took over in 2020, and now Sean Lewis is left trying to re-establish the Aztecs to their former glory.

While they haven't been to a MWC Championship Game since 2021, the Aztecs have fallen below .500 just once since Long's departure. But they aren't off to a good start in 2024. Through two games, San Diego State has mustered just 10 points against FBS competition, underscoring their need to enhance their recruiting process for top offensive players.

With a newly built stadium, San Diego State has the infrastructure to ensure it can host the best the Power 5 conferences have to offer. But for now, the priority is putting a top-quality team on the field.
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2. Fresno State Bulldogs
Perennially one of the top offensive programs in the country, the Fresno State Bulldogs possess the makeup to re-kindle the Pac-12's pass-heavy reputation.

Fresno State has been to a bowl game in five of its past seven seasons and has claimed the conference title in two of those campaigns.

The fruits of their labor aren't limited to team success, either. Thirteen Bulldogs alumni are currently in the NFL, highlighting the program's ability to churn out top-end talent.

With a 40,000-capacity stadium, Fresno State can attract the best non-conference foes to San Joaquin Valley for years.
1. Boise State Broncos
No Group of Five program deserves a spot in the Power Five more than the Boise State Broncos. For over 20 years, the Broncos have been knocking on the door as the pre-eminent Group of 5 football team. Now, they get to flex their muscles as the newest addition to the Pac-12.

Boise State hasn't had a losing record since the 1990s and has been at the forefront of the Mountain West Conference since joining in 2011. Since then, the Broncos have been to nine conference championship games and have claimed the MWC title five times.

An inferior Mountain West Conference schedule will no longer hold the Broncos back. Boise State can get out on the recruiting trail, boast about its inclusion in the Pac-12, and establish itself as a top Power Five juggernaut.

The future is bright for the Broncos, and they might finally start to get the respect they deserve.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
4. Colorado State Rams
As a football program, the Colorado State Ram's best days are behind them. CSU struggles to keep pace against its current Mountain West Competition, failing to post a winning season since 2017. As such, we're forecasting a sub-optimal outlook as the Rams begin their foray into Pac-12 play.

Jay Norvell is in his third season with the program but has yet to guide Colorado State back to a bowl game. His 5-7 finish last year was the best record since 2017, but the Rams are still perilously short of reclaiming their distinction as a top-tier program.

Colorado State boasts just seven current NFL-type players, the fewest among the Pac-12's newest additions. While the Rams may be able to lure some prospects to their ranks now that they are part of a Power Five conference, they won't reap the benefits of those fruits for years to come.

Hang tight, CSU. There's still a long way to go.

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