There has been plenty of conference realignment in the last few years. There are several teams joining the Pac-12 in 2026. Here is the new Pac-12 team in 2026.
Boise State Broncos
Previous Conference: Mountain West
City: Boise, Idaho
Boise State started playing football in 1933 and joined the FBS (formerly Division I-A) in 1996. They played in the Big West, WAC and Mountain West Conferences from that point through 2025. The Broncos notched some big moments in those conferences, including winning three Fiesta Bowls, most notably defeating Oklahoma following the 2006 season.
The Broncos have a great chance of winning the Pac-12 in their first season. They return 12 starters from last year’s 9-5 team. Spencer Danielson is 24-8 in over two seasons as head coach and has plenty of talent to work with. Maddux Madsen is back at quarterback and the running game can be great. Don’t be surprised if Boise State is perenially contender in the conference.
Colorado State Rams
Previous Conference: Mountain West
City: Fort Collins, Colorado
The first recorded football game for Colorado State was in 1892. They joined the WAC in 1968, then moved to the Mountain West in 1999. Since they joined the Mountain West in 1999, they have played in 13 bowl games.
Jim Mora is taking over the Colorado State program after finding some recent success at UConn. He’ll have to revamp the program, as they won two games last season. Only four starters are back and there was probably too much work to do to the roster for the Rams to compete in 2026, but Mora can get good results from small beginnings with time.
Fresno State
Previous Conference: Mountain West
City: Fresno, California
Fresno State started the football program in 1922. They joined the Big West in 1988 and the WAC in 1992. In 2012, they joined the Mountain West. From the time they joined the Mountain West, they have played in nine bowl games.
Former North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz went 9-4 in his first year with the Bulldogs. He is now leading the team into the Pac-12. With 12 returning starters from a team that won nine games, the Bulldogs have enough firepower to finish near the top of the conference.
San Diego State Aztecs
Previous Conference: Mountain West
City: San Diego, California
The Aztecs played their first football game in 1921. They joined the WAC in 1978, then made the move to the Mountain West in 1999. They have made 11 bowl games since 1999, with a string of nine straight that ended in 2019.
Six starters are back on offense, including quarterback Jayden Denegal and running back Lucky Sutton. The defense was one of the best in the country and has a lot of new faces contributing. Sean Lewis helped the team improve to nine wins in his second year after they had three in his first year. If he can keep the program rolling, San Diego State should be in the thick of the Pac-12 race.
Utah State Aggies
Previous Conference: Mountain West
City: Logan, Utah
Utah State began the football program in 1892. They joined the Big West in 1978, then were independent, before joining the Sun Belt for two seasons. From 2005 and 2012, they played in the WAC before getting the invite and becoming a member of the Mountain West. In their 13 seasons in the MWC, they played in 10 bowl games.
Bronco Mendenhall took the Utah State job last season and helped the team win six games. Nine starters return from that team, including star running back Jeven Jacobs. They may not finish at the top of the conference this season, but the Aggies should be competitive.
Texas State Bobcats
Previous Conference: Sun Belt
City: San Marcos, Texas
The Bobcats didn’t play college football until 1951. After competing in Division II, the Bobcats moved up to Division I-AA in 1984. They joined the FBS in 2012 and participated in the WAC. After one season in the WAC, they moved to the Sun Belt. They have only made three bowl games at the Division I level, with all three of them coming over the last three seasons.
GJ Kinne has elevated the Texas State program to new heights in the last three years, as he has a 23-16 record. The 10 starters returning can help them win some games, but this is a huge jump in competition that the Bobcats will have to adjust to. Texas State has been growing and could be competitive in a few seasons, especially if they retain Kinne.
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