2026 Preseason G6 Power Rankings for Teams in the West

1. Boise State

Boise State remains the best team among G6 programs in the West, if not the nation.

The Broncos return quarterback Maddux Madsen, though he will be without most of his top receivers. However, dynamic two-back combination Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley will help fill the void.

The offensive line is a plus as well: Roger Carreon, Jason Steele, and Daylon Metoyer are elite performers. If this group can find a solid left tackle, they should hold the advantage over most of the teams they play.

On defense, the Broncos feature a vicious end combination led by Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege. The duo should be able to control the tempo in most of their matchups, with the exception of Oregon.

Everyone else on the roster should prove decent enough to replace what they lost, but they’ll need to find an answer at safety with Ty Benefield gone.

The key for this unit is playing better against elite teams.

If the Broncos rectify that, they could find themselves in the College Football Playoff.

Projected Overall Record: 10-2

2. UNLV

For the first time in recent memory, UNLV should be the frontrunner of its conference. The Rebels have to replace a ton of production, but a weaker slate will ease the transition.

The key to their season will likely depend on the play of Jackson Arnold, who lacked pocket awareness at previous stops. But his athleticism should shine in the Mountain West.

Arnold will also need to improve his consistency. His QBR in 2025 was either above 85 or below 45.

UNLV also returns Jai’Den Thomas at halfback, a big-play threat. The combination of him and Arnold should create gaps in the defense. Jai’Den ran for 1,036 yards, 12 touchdowns, and averaged seven yards per carry a year ago.

That combo, along with two returning tackles, is a nice place to start on offense. If they find an explosive wideout, they’ll be trouble.

Defensively, they need production on the line. They have enough returners at linebacker and in the secondary to prove decent, but they need to solidify the trenches.

Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu and Kamuela Ka’aihue provide experience at linebacker. But this is Arnold’s story.

Projected Overall Record: 9-3

3. Washington State

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Washington State is a huge x-factor this year. They have the type of team that could finish in second place in the Pac-12 and in these power rankings, but they could also find themselves near the bottom.

With new Head Coach Kirby Moore, the offense is expected to improve quickly. But that depends on the quarterback play of Caden Pinnick, a stud at UC Davis, who threw for 3,206 yards, 32 touchdowns, and ten interceptions.

Pinnick also added 437 yards on the ground. He’ll be complemented in the backfield by the return of Kirby Vorhees and Leo Pulalasi.

At receiver, Tony Freeman is a good playmaker, but the Cougars also have a couple of notable transfers in Darrius Clemons and Tank Hawkins.

The offensive line features Ashton Tripp, who’ll be protecting Pinnick’s blind side. The group in its entirety has the potential to be one of the better units in the Pac-12.

Defensively, WSU is hunting from scratch. The Cougs lost much of their defense to Iowa State with the departure of Jimmy Rogers. Some of the bigger losses include Isaac Terrell and Parker McKenna.

New Defensive Coordinator Trent Bray is going to have to retool a unit that proved sneaky good a year ago.

Projected Overall Record: 8-4

4. San Diego State

San Diego State made no sense last season, but they were still good. Sean Lewis’ Aztec FAST moniker proved the opposite of his team’s identity.

The offense struggled, ranking 78th in the nation in points scored per game. But the unit should take a huge step forward this year.

The Aztecs return Jayden Denegal at quarterback, Lucky Sutton at halfback, and a bunch of receivers from injury. They also return Jordan Napier.

There are a lot of question marks on the offensive line, but this unit has enough skill to compensate if they underwhelm.

The West Coast will finally get to see what a Lewis system looks like.

On defense, however, they have to replace nearly everything, with the exception of Dalesean Staley. The senior safety may just have to limit big plays this year, but he’s still a stud.

SDSU lost 12 out of their top 14 tacklers, including First-Round draft pick corner Chris Johnson, and a probable future First-Rounder in defensive end Trey White.

While the defense proved phenomenal in 2025, it’s time for the offense to boss up. This team feels like a squad that is close to the top, but not quite there yet. Yet, if the defense comes to play, they could be the G6 team to beat.

Projected Overall Record: 7-5

5. New Mexico

New Mexico was a heartwarming story across the college football landscape a year ago. But now, they have to back it up.

Jason Eck appears to be in a good spot, however, as the Lobos return starting quarterback Jack Layne and four offensive linemen. Layne must protect the ball a little better after throwing 10 interceptions last season.

His confidence is an asset for UNM; he just needs to stop impersonating Brett Favre. Kaden Robnett, who was named Second Team All-Mountain West a year ago, is another rock at center.

New Mexico lost their top five skill position players, but they should be alright as long as the offensive line holds up. Similar to UNLV, one of the Lobos’ biggest question marks is their defensive line.

The Lobos are hoping players such as Clay Martineau and Jalen Charles can fill the void. At linebacker, they’re led by Jaxton Eck, a national commodity appearing on five preseason award watchlists.

Mercury Swaim and Eck form a vicious duo at backer. UNM also returns two corners with experience and has depth at safety.

If the skill-position players step up, this team should meet expectations.

Projected Overall Record: 8-4

6. Fresno State

Fresno State should be good, but they’ll likely lack the explosiveness needed to be a G6 contender.

Matt Entz is a winner and knows exactly how he likes to build his roster. He won nine games his first season with the Bulldogs, and two National Titles at the FBS level.

Fresno also features arguably the best halfback duo in the G6—Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson are dirty. But the rest of the offense needs to come together quickly.

Khristian Martin is new at quarterback; the Bulldogs lack proven receivers, and they need to replace key parts of the offensive line. But even if the line struggles a little, it should be one of the better units in the Pac-12.

Flipping the page, the defensive front seven will probably decimate most G6 teams. If ends Micah Mosley or Maverick Noonan can make an impact, it will be tough to run against them.

FS also needs to replace two corners, but they landed a solid safety in the portal in Simeon Harris. They ranked second in the nation, allowing 153.8 passing yards per game in 2025. They’ll likely regress, but they’ll still be decent.

If the Bulldogs add some flash alongside Luke, they could be “poppin bottles in the ice.”

Projected Overall Record: 7-5

7. Hawai’i

Hawaii might be No. 8 on this list, but they’re probably the team getting the biggest shaft here. The Rainbow Warriors only return seven starters combined, but they get a multitude of talent back.

Most important is the return of Micah Alejado, who balled out while beat up last year, throwing for 3,106 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

The Rainbow Warriors also get back running back Cam Barfield, who had 80 touches a year ago. Rounding out the trio is Pofele Ashlock in the slot.

The offensive line also returns three seniors, making this a complete unit.

The Bows’ defense is a bit sketchy, though, as they are relying on a bunch of unproven transfers from Power Four schools. The most notable is probably Lipe Moala, a huge guard from Oregon.

One thing working to Hawaii’s advantage is having at least one proven player at every level. Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina is a decent end, Jamih Otis can fly at backer, and Elijah Palmer is a dog in the secondary.

If some of these Power Four transfers play to their potential, UH’s defense could be the story of the Mountain West.

Projected Overall Record: 7-5

8. Texas State

Texas State is a team that should get some credit right now. Did the Bobcats play a weaker schedule in the Sun Belt? Yes, but so did a lot of other G6 schools.

TXST might have a top three offense in the Pac-12. Brad Jackson is a legit dual-threat quarterback, and Texas State features two standout receivers in Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn, Jr.

The Bobcats also added Davian Jackson, who brings speed to the bunch. They lost pretty much all of their running backs, however, including the running backs coach.

They will need to rely heavily on their offensive line if they throw the majority of the time. This unit is the key to their season.

Defensively, Texas State will likely struggle, having been ranked 95th in the nation in points allowed per game in 2025.

The Bobcats have few playmakers, though, in DonTerry Russell, who recorded 4.5 sacks a year ago, and Ryan Nolan, who should be able to clean up the big plays at safety.

TXST will likely suffer at defensive tackle after losing its top two tackles to power four schools.

Regardless, the Bobcats will go as far as their offense takes them, and they’ll likely need to win a few shootouts to make a bowl game.

Projected Overall Record: 5-7

9. North Dakota State

The Bison probably won’t roll through everyone by 30 points anymore, but they have a favorable early schedule. If they can win their first two matchups, it should allow quarterback Nathan Hayes enough time to find his rhythm.

The fifth-year senior’s read plenty of playbooks before, but he’s never been the guy. That said, experienced halfback DJ Scott will make his life easier in the backfield.

The biggest concern for North Dakota State, however, is its receiving core, having lost six notable wideouts—which feels massive, given the level jump. The Bison will need to lean on their offensive line if they want to move the ball consistently.

On defense, if NDSU can find someone to pressure the quarterback, they should continue their lineage. They return production at tackle and should be able to limit teams up the middle.

Tim Polasek also did a good job replacing corners in the portal, bringing in a strong group led by Chance Tucker from Notre Dame.

In true NDSU fashion, some of the more notable names on the roster are found in the trenches.  Guard Griffin Empey and tackle Keenan Wilson are two of these dudes.

North Dakota State’s championship pedigree should give them a chance to compete instantly.

Projected Overall Record: 7-5

10. Colorado State

Colorado State benefits from a light schedule to open its campaign. If the Rams can jump out to a 3-1 start, Jim Mora could get them to a bowl in his first year.

The key for CSU is for whoever plays signal-caller to step up. Hauss Hejny’s the more explosive player, but Mora may feel more comfortable with K’saan Farrar.

Proven halfbacks Mel Brown and Durell Robinson will complement the starting quarterback. Colorado State also landed Juice Vereen from UConn, who could be a standout at tight end.

CSU will field a talented receiving core with returner Tommy Maher and two transfers from Power Four schools. If the offensive line stays tough, this unit could surprise a lot of teams.

Even though the Rams lost Owen Long to Arizona State, they may have enough collective talent to improve defensively. If they can get a consistent pass rush, then they should have enough pieces in the back seven to prove troublesome.

Oumar Diomande’s a solid transfer linebacker, and the secondary did a good job of re-tooling in the portal.

If this team steals one or two games in the Pac-12, they could easily find themselves bowling.

Projected Overall Record: 5-7