The Pac-12 is set to make its comeback for the 2026 college football season, marking the first full schedule since the conference’s two-year hiatus. Only Oregon State and Washington State remain from the original lineup, while eight new members drawn from the Mountain West and Texas State of the Sun Belt have joined the revamped league.
A Flexible Schedule Designed for Playoff Hopes
At the heart of the conference’s strategy is a flexible scheduling model, highlighted by a potential ‘flex’ rematch in Week 13 that could determine which team earns a spot in the College Football Playoff. Boise State, the highest-ranked Group of Six program in the CBS Sports 138 poll, headlines the new roster, with San Diego State and Fresno State emerging as its primary challengers.
Realignment Ripples Across the Group of Six
Conference realignments are reshaping the competitive map, with each league seeking to leverage scheduling innovations to improve playoff odds. The Mountain West has bolstered its ranks with additions such as North Dakota State, UTEP and Northern Illinois, while UNLV and New Mexico are viewed as dark-horse contenders. The Sun Belt lacks a clear dominant force, and Conference USA’s title race features Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky and Liberty. Meanwhile, the Mid-American Conference welcomes Sacramento State, expanding its geographic footprint.
Analysts note that the revamped Pac-12’s emphasis on high-profile rematches could set a precedent for other non-Power Five conferences aiming to break into the playoff conversation, a development that may influence coaching moves such as those of Dan Mullen, Jason Eck, Jamey Chadwell, Mike Jacobs, Jason Candle and John Hauser, who are all active in the current landscape.