Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 4: Is Oregon State Ready to Take Boise State’s Top Spot?
Sep 25, 2026, 2:39 PM
The KSL Sports Week 4 Pac-12 Power Rankings. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The final week of nonconference play has arrived, and Boise State remains on top of the Week 4 Pac-12 Power Rankings.
Oregon State, however, is making a strong case for consideration at No. 1 despite its 1-2 record. The Pac-12 went 5-3 this past weekend, marking the first winning record for league programs in 2026, while Utah State enters Week 4 as the conference’s only winless team.
one more before conference play 🫡 pic.twitter.com/qYi4yhSJtE
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 24, 2026
With league play approaching, the final nonconference slate offers one more chance for Pac-12 teams to sort out lingering questions. Boise State can strengthen its hold on the top spot, Oregon State has a chance to keep building momentum behind the conference’s hottest passing attack, and programs such as Colorado State, Washington State, and Utah State enter the weekend trying to find answers at key positions.
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Week 4 Pac-12 Power Rankings
1. Boise State Broncos (2-1)
Week 3 was another rushing masterpiece for Boise State, which dominated the trenches on both sides of the ball in a 14-point win over South Dakota.
The Broncos rushed for 325 yards and three touchdowns, averaging nearly seven yards per attempt. Dylan Riley led the way with 198 yards and two touchdowns, while Sire Gaines was no slouch, adding 102 yards and a score.
Seven Boise State defenders registered at least half a tackle for loss, and the team piled up six stops in the backfield. Junior defensive back Travis Anderson picked off two passes as the defense continues to round into form ahead of a trip to Western Michigan.
Week 3 result: Win vs. South Dakota, 38-24
Week 4 matchup: Saturday at Western Michigan, 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2
2. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)
Don’t let the 1-2 record fool you. Oregon State has been one of the most consistent teams in the Pac-12 through three games. The Beavers feature runaway leaders in Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Braden Atkinson and Freshman of the Year Jesse Legree.
In an offense designed to open passing lanes, Atkinson has completed 82 of 129 passes for 1,120 yards. His 63.6% completion rate is strong considering he has attempted 39 more passes than any other quarterback in the league. His passing yardage is nearly double that of second-place Hauss Hejny of Colorado State, and Atkinson is averaging 373 passing yards per game.
Legree has 17 catches for 476 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Pac-12 in each category while averaging 158.7 receiving yards per game. The 5-foot-10 speedster is second in the conference in all-purpose yardage behind Boise State’s Dylan Riley.
the numbers speak for themselves 👀@YogiRoth takes a closer look at Oregon State freshman Jesse Legree, who’s leading all FBS receivers with 476 receiving yards through the first three games of the season. check out the full video ➡️ https://t.co/sULEdpwWXz pic.twitter.com/F0OqnDQNDK
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 25, 2026
Week 3 result: Win vs. Montana, 52-17
Week 4 matchup: Saturday at UTEP, 7 p.m. on MW+
3. Colorado State Rams (2-1)
Colorado State suffered its first loss of the season in a downpour against No. 11 BYU, but the bigger concern may be the loss of quarterback Hauss Hejny. Hejny left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury and is a game-time decision against UTSA.
K’Saan Farrar is expected to start if Hejny is unavailable. The former UConn quarterback went 13 of 23 for 70 yards and an interception against a superior BYU defense. Running back Mel Brown enters the week fourth in the conference with 256 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also has six catches for 27 yards and one kick return for 25 yards. The senior will need to step up if Hejny can’t play.
The Rams’ defense has capitalized on the big play all season. CSU defenders have forced five fumbles, recovering three, and have a Pac-12-leading seven interceptions. CJ Blocker is tied for the league lead with three INTs, while Oumar Diomande has two.
𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 😤
💥 2nd nationally in forced turnovers.
💥 1st nationally in points off turnovers.Defense is making its presence 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ljfP5SpafU
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) September 23, 2026
Week 3 result: Loss vs. No. 11 BYU, 41-23
Week 4 matchup: Saturday at UTSA, 10 a.m. on ESPNU
4. Fresno State Bulldogs (2-1)
In a conference dominated by fast-paced, high-scoring offenses, Fresno State’s defense has catapulted the Bulldogs up the Pac-12 Power Rankings since a 39-0 blowout loss to USC to open the season. Since then, Fresno State has limited opponents to 13 points in back-to-back wins.
The Bulldogs rank at or near the top of the league in most major defensive categories, including seven sacks, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Opposing offenses are averaging 383 yards per game, with most of that success coming through the air. Fresno State has allowed 806 passing yards through three games.
Quarterback Jarden Mandal has bounced back nicely after a poor season debut, throwing for 579 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. Running back Bryson Donelson has four rushing touchdowns, the second most in the Pac-12.
week 3️⃣’s best, right here ⤵️
learn more: https://t.co/joWBjpNq3g pic.twitter.com/AN1ziRESl8
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 21, 2026
Week 3 result: Win vs. San Jose State, 26-10
Week 4 matchup: Saturday vs. Rice, 8 p.m. on The CW
5. Texas State Bobcats (1-2)
The Texas State offense is starting to click after averaging 40 points per game over its last two contests. The only question for the Bobcats: Can the offense score enough to prop up a struggling defense?
Opponents are averaging 41.7 points per game against Texas State, by far the worst mark in the conference.
Quarterback Brad Jackson has been as advertised, attacking defenses for 610 yards and five passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. has 15 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bobcats have forced three turnovers and recorded one sack as a team. Those numbers need to improve if Texas State is going to make any noise in its jump from the Sun Belt to the Pac-12.
not even halfway through Q1 and the Jackson to Dawn Jr. combo came to EAT EM UP! 🤯
📺 @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/aNcSeINBBn
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 19, 2026
Week 3 result: Win vs. North Texas, 49-35
Week 4 matchup: Saturday vs. UIW, 3 p.m. on USA
6. San Diego State Aztecs (1-2)
San Diego State has been middle of the pack on both sides of the ball while opening the year 1-2. The Aztecs rank fourth in the Pac-12 in total defense, allowing 385.7 yards per game, and sixth in total offense at 328 yards and three touchdowns per game.
Quarterback Jayden Denegal has been inconsistent, completing 36 of 67 passes for 53.7% with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Running back Lucky Sutton has 139 rushing yards and three scores.
Former Weber State linebacker Sione Hala leads the conference with 28 tackles and averages 9.3 stops per game. Edge rusher Djibril Rahman ties for the league lead with two sacks.
Bert Showing Off the Hands 👐
📺:@TheCW_Sports#AgeOfTheJaguar🐆 #AztecFAST 🍢#BeTheA1pha 🐺#TheClimb 📈 pic.twitter.com/Ch0y5v9l0z
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) September 20, 2026
Week 3 result: Loss vs. James Madison, 26-13
Week 4 matchup: Saturday at Toledo, 10 a.m. on CBS Sports Network
7. Washington State Cougars (1-2)
Caden Pinnick has been a disappointment so far for Washington State, while the defense has been the Cougars’ saving grace. Wazzu earned its first win of the year in a demolition of Duquesne, but can it find that same success Saturday against the Big 12’s Arizona Wildcats?
Pinnick has not lived up to the hype after transferring from UC Davis. The redshirt sophomore has thrown for 403 yards and two touchdowns while leading the league’s second-lowest-scoring offense at 21.7 points per game.
The defense has been stout, allowing 358 yards and 21.7 points per game, and has been especially strong against the pass. The Cougars have allowed 177 passing yards per game, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Defensive back Jaylen Thomas has both picks and is the only player in the Pac-12 with a pick-six through three games.
back-to-back punt returns for touchdowns for @WSUCougarFB 😱
the Cougs have a 48-7 lead late in the contest on @usasports. pic.twitter.com/ziGnNx2elF
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 19, 2026
Week 3 result: Win vs. Duquesne, 48-7
Week 4 matchup: Saturday vs. Arizona, 4:30 p.m. on CBS
8. Utah State Aggies (0-3)
Utah State is reeling after a 33-0 shutout loss to in-state rival Utah and after linebacker and captain Harrison Taggart left by ambulance following a scary first-half injury. USU’s defense has done more than its part, but a nonexistent rushing attack and injuries along the offensive line have kept the offense from finding its footing.
Grady Brosterhous has started the past two games at quarterback with McCae Hillstead recovering from a forearm injury that impacted his grip in the season opener. The duo has combined for 571 passing yards and four touchdowns, both numbers ranking in the bottom three of the conference. USU’s offensive efficiency of 95.3 is the worst in the Pac-12 by a significant margin.
On the other side, the Aggies’ defense has been just short of extraordinary given the short fields it has often faced after turnovers. Utah State has the second-most efficient defense in the league at 123.1 despite facing potent scoring offenses in Idaho State and Utah.
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Week 3 result: Loss at Utah, 33-0
Week 4 matchup: Saturday vs. Troy, 5:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Looking ahead to Week 4
Week 4 should clarify the Pac-12 pecking order before conference play begins. Boise State has a chance to validate its No. 1 ranking on the road at Western Michigan, while Oregon State can continue pushing for the top spot with a trip to UTEP.
Colorado State’s quarterback situation bears watching against UTSA, and Washington State gets one of the league’s more intriguing tests against former Pac-12 rival Arizona. At the bottom of the rankings, Utah State’s homecoming matchup against Troy feels like a pivotal opportunity for the Aggies to stop the slide and give their defense some much-needed support.
Following Utah State football with KSL Sports Zone
USU hosts the Troy Trojans on Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium on Saturday, September 26. The Homecoming kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. MT.
Find Utah State football’s entire 2026 schedule here.
Find the entire 2026 Pac-12 schedule here.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in the NFL, Locals in MLB, and the Utah State Aggies. Follow Brian’s coverage here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
Parts of this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team.
