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San Diego State Aztecs running back Josiah Lucas (23) scores his second touchdown of the game during the second half of a college football game against the Texas State Bobcats Oct. 3, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)<\/p>\nThe midpoint of the\u00a0inaugural football season\u00a0for the\u00a0new Pac-12\u00a0does not exist, at least not in a clean, easily identifiable fashion.<\/p>\n
Half the teams have played seven games; half have played six.<\/p>\n
Half have played three conference matchups; half have played two.<\/p>\n
But against the full sweep of a competition calendar that runs from Labor Day weekend (for everyone) through Thanksgiving weekend (for all but two teams), the\u00a0end of Week 7\u00a0marks a reasonable middle.<\/p>\n
With that, here\u2019s our Pac-12 midseason report, in which we highlight the best and worst, key themes and standout performers.<\/p>\n
Top storyline: CFP relevance.\u00a0Two teams, Boise State and Oregon State, remain in pursuit of a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Broncos (5-1) have a quality loss at Oregon and key wins over Memphis and Western Michigan. If they win out, a bid should follow. The Beavers (5-2) have a trickier path but will be in play if they finish with two losses. The conference could not have realistically asked for more at this point.<\/p>\n
Best coach: Oregon State\u2019s JaMarcus Shephard.\u00a0The rookie coach has made a series of master-class moves with his staff and roster and could land on the\u00a0short list\u00a0for national Coach of the Year if the Beavers keep winning.\u00a0Also considered:\u00a0Boise State\u2019s Spencer Danielson<\/p>\n
Hottest seat: Washington State\u2019s Kirby Moore.\u00a0The rookie coach has made a series of deeply flawed decisions with his staff and roster. We don\u2019t expect Moore to get fired after the season, although if the current trajectory continues, you could make the case for dismissal.\u00a0Also considered:\u00a0San Diego State\u2019s Sean Lewis<\/p>\n
Best offensive player: Oregon State WR Jesse Legree. The freshman has been a revelation and is generating second-tier Heisman Trophy support. He leads the country in receiving yards and touchdowns \u2014 not bad for a three-star prospect. Also considered: Oregon State QB Braden Atkinson, Boise State TB Dylan Riley and Texas State TB Torrance Burgess<\/p>\n
Best defensive player: San Diego State LB Sione Hala.\u00a0The senior leads the Pac-12 and is fifth in the country in tackles (68) and recorded sacks against both James Madison and Oregon State. He also forced a fumble against Fresno State that led to an Aztecs field goal in what became a three-point win.\u00a0Also considered:\u00a0Oregon State edge Takari Hickle and Fresno State lineman Dylan Hampsten.<\/p>\n
Top transfer: Oregon State QB Braden Atkinson.\u00a0The Mercer transfer threw 34 touchdown passes last year for an FCS team that won nine games, so he\u2019s not exactly a rookie. But Atkinson\u2019s field vision and downfield accuracy mesh perfectly with Legree\u2019s skills.\u00a0Also considered:\u00a0Nobody<\/p>\n
San Diego State Aztecs running back Josiah Lucas (23) scores his second touchdown of the game during the second half of a college football game against the Texas State Bobcats Oct. 3, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)<\/p>\n