​The Pac-12’s start to the 2026 college football season depends on your perspective.Two weeks in, the conference has reasons for optimism and cause for concern. On the bright side, it boasts the current favorite for the Group of Six’s automatic College Football Playoff berth and several teams showing real promise. On the other, four Pac-12 programs are still searching for their first win, the most of any conference despite the league having no more than 10 members.One thing is clear: There’s no debate about the conference’s top team. The bigger question is who has emerged behind it and climbed into the Pac-12’s upper tier. NCAA Re-Rank 1-138: Texas replaces Notre Dame at No. 1Week 2 overreactions: Arch Manning winning Heisman? Ohio State in trouble?1. Boise State (1-1)Last week ranking: 1 (↔️)Week 2 result: Win vs. Memphis, 38-20What to know: There is a clear frontrunner for the Group of Six playoff spot after the Broncos defended the blue turf convincingly against fellow G6 CFP hopeful Memphis. With how well Boise State has looked, there’s no reason to think it can’t win out the rest of the way, creating a massive gap from the rest of the conference. However, it can’t overlook a good FCS team in South Dakota coming in.Up next: vs. South Dakota2. Colorado State (2-0)Last week ranking: 2 (↔️)Week 2 result: Win vs. Southern Utah, 58-24What to know: The only undefeated team in the conference, Jim Mora is rolling in Year 1 behind great quarterback play from Hauss Hejny, who has thrown for nine touchdowns in two games. Now comes a pivotal moment with Big 12 contender BYU arriving to Fort Collins.Up next: vs. No. 13 BYU3. Fresno State (1-1)Last week ranking: 7 (⬆️4)Week 2 result: Win vs. Sacramento State, 49-3What to know: The subpar opening game at USC was wiped away in complete domination of Sacramento State, looking like the Fresno State you expect out of the valley. As long as Jayden Mandal can get the ball to receivers, the Bulldogs can succeed.Up next: at San Jose State4. San Diego State (1-1)Last week ranking: 3 (⬇️1)Week 2 result: Loss vs. UCLA, 28-10What to know: After the offense took a step forward in Week 1, it took two steps back in Week 2 after a tough outing against UCLA, throwing for just 45 passing yards and 10 plays in Bruins territory. However, the defense held its own for the majority of the game and can cause fits to just about anyone. The true test will come next when it has to try and stop a James Madison team coming off an 87-point outing.Up next: James Madison5. Oregon State (0-2)Last week ranking: 5 (↔️)Week 2 result: Loss vs. No. 13 Texas Tech, 35-24What to know: This may be one of the most impressive 0-2 teams in the country. The Beavers again played a ranked Big 12 opponent and gave them a scare, leading Texas Tech in the fourth quarter before the Red Raiders escaped. The record shouldn’t overshadow the clear improvement under first-year coach JaMarcus Shephard despite a tough nonconference schedu