Welcome to a new feature — an assessment of the eight teams in the rebuilt Pac-12 as if they were competing in the conference this season.
1. Texas State (1-0)
Result: beat Eastern Michigan 52-27
Next up: at UTSA (12:30 p.m. on ESPN+)
Comment: The ground game was insane with 392 yards on just 39 carries. If the Bobcats manage even half that production on a regular basis, freshman quarterback Brad Jackson’s job becomes immensely easier … and the fictional Pac-12 title comes within easy reach. (And speaking of half that production: Texas State rushed for 195 yards last year in the blowout victory over UTSA.)
2. Utah State (1-0)
Result: beat UTEP 28-16
Next up: at Texas A&M (9:45 a.m. on SEC Network)
Comment: That Mendenhall magic did not take long to materialize. It’s a few weeks too