The Pac-12 dodged the mayhem that walloped conferences across the country the past two weekends.

As undefeated teams tumbled and title favorites flopped, Boise State and Oregon State held their positions as the frontrunners for the Pac-12 championship and a potential berth in the College Football Playoff.

One Saturday remains before the first CFP rankings are released Nov. 3. If the Broncos handle Texas State at home and the Beavers win at Fresno State — it’s their toughest assignment since conference play began — at least one, if not both, will receive consideration for a spot in the selection committee’s top 25.

For the moment, the American’s UTSA is the highest-ranked team in ESPN’s strength-of-record (SOR), an important data point that mirrors the private version used by the selection committee.

SOR measures how a given team performs against its schedule compared to how an average Top 25 team would fare against the same schedule. It offers the committee a means of comparing teams with similar records but no head-to-head results.

UTSA is ranked 23rd in the SOR metric, one spot ahead of Boise State. The Roadrunners have one loss: by 24 points at Texas, while the Broncos’ lone defeat was by seven points at Oregon. The teams’ strength-of-schedule rankings are comparable.

(Notably, UTSA’s toughest remaining game, against North Texas, is the same day, Nov. 14, as the Boise State-Oregon State showdown.)

Only No. 34 New Mexico, the Mountain West frontrunner, and No. 39 James Madison, from the Sun Belt, are close to UTSA and Boise State in the SOR rankings.

Then comes No. 45 Louisiana Tech (Sun Belt), No. 47 North Texas (American) and No. 49 Liberty (Conference USA).

The Beavers are 50th, which reflects their weak collection of victories. Of course, that will change if they defeat Fresno State, Texas State and Boise State in the upcoming triple whammy.

Which scenario would best position the Pac-12 for the berth in the CFP reserved for the top team in the Group of Six?

It’s possible the conference would be well served by Oregon State winning out and Boise State losing only to the Beavers.

That would result in a matchup of 10-2 teams for the conference title, placing the winner, whether it’s the Broncos or Beavers, in prime position for the playoff bid.

Granted, the results in the American and Mountain West in coming weeks will shape the Group of Six landscape.

But given the lunacy across the country — not to mention the plot twist currently unfolding 45 miles south of Corvallis — the Pac-12 should consider itself fortunate.

To the power rankings:

(All times Pacific)

1. Boise State (6-1, 3-0)

Result: Won at Washington State, 31-10

Next up: vs. Texas State (7 p.m. on The CW)

Comment: Remember back in September, when we described the result at Oregon as a quality loss that would strengthen the Broncos’ resume in much the same fashion as the narrow defeat in Eugene in 2024? Never mind. (Last week: 1)

2. Oregon State (5-2, 3-0)

Result: Did not play

Next up: at Fresno State (8 p.m. on USA Network)

Comment: Texas Tech and Houston did Oregon State no favors Saturday with their losses. If the Beavers end up in a resume showdown for a playoff berth with the best team in the American or Mountain West, they would benefit from claiming a close defeat to a Big 12 playoff-bound team. That scenario is less likely than it was a few days ago. (Last week: 2)

3. Fresno State (4-3, 1-2)

Result: Did not play

Next up: vs. Oregon State (8 p.m. on USA Network)

Comment: The Bulldogs’ pass defense is statistically average compared to the other 137 FBS teams. There is nothing average about Oregon State’s aerial attack. (Last week: 3)

4. Colorado State (3-4, 1-2)

Result: Beat San Diego State, 56-49 

Next up: at Utah State (12:30 p.m. on USA Network)

Comment: As insane as it sounds, holding their opponent to 49 points constitutes an improvement for the Rams, who have allowed at least 56 points in each of the previous three games. (Last week: 6)

5. San Diego State (3-5, 2-2)

Result: Lost at Colorado State 56-49

Next up: vs. Washington State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: That was a bad loss for SDSU’s bowl math. A very bad loss. Now, the Aztecs must handle Washington State and Utah State at home and either beat Boise State or win their Flex Saturday matchup, which will be on the road. (Last week: 4)

6. Texas State (4-3, 2-1)

Result: Beat Utah State, 20-17

Next up: at Boise State (7 p.m. on The CW)

Comment: With Boise State and Oregon State on the road on consecutive Saturdays, the Bobcats should stay in Bend for the week rather than schlepping home and back. They will be far better prepared for whatever weather awaits them in Corvallis. (We’re joking, mostly.) (Last week: 5)

7. Utah State (2-5, 1-2)

Result: Lost at Texas State, 20-17

Next up: vs. Colorado State (12:30 p.m. on USA Network)

Comment: There goes Bronco Mendenhall, nearly pulling off a Bronco Mendenhall? Oh well, there will be more opportunities for the Aggies to rise up and disrupt the race in November. (Last week: 7)

8. Washington State (1-7, 0-4)

Result: Lost to Boise State, 31-10

Next up: at San Diego State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Given the level of competition in the new Pac-12, which is substantially worse than in the old Pac-12, this qualifies as one of the most disappointing seasons in the modern history of WSU football. There are problems galore, and coach Kirby Moore seemingly has no answers. (Last week: 8)