A former member of the Mountain West, the Utah State Aggies will be among the newcomers set to join the rebuilt Pac-12 this season. While the Aggies may not carry the national brand recognition of some schools, few programs outside the Power Four have been as consistently competitive in both football and men's basketball over the past several seasons.
For Washington State fans, Utah State is a familiar opponent. The two programs have met on the football field in recent years, but those non-conference matchups will now carry much more significance as conference games in the new-look Pac-12.
The Aggies' football program has experienced both success and transition over the last several years. Utah State captured the Mountain West championship in 2021 with an 11-win season under Blake Anderson, turning in one of the best campaigns in school history. The Aggies have made a bowl game in three of the last four seasons and seven out of the last eight.
Washington State continued to build for the future with the commitment of Bothell guard Jaylen McLaughlin, one of the top basketball prospects in the Evergreen State and now a member of the 2027 recruiting class.
The in-state standout announced his commitment to the Cougars, giving Washington State a quality recruiting victory while keeping one of the state's best young players close to home.
McLaughlin has quickly emerged as one of Washington's premier guards thanks to his ability to both score and create for his teammates. At 6-3, he has the versatility to play either guard position, making him a natural fit in head coach David Riley's up-tempo offensive system.
Just two years removed from being in the College Football Playoff, the Boise State Broncos immediately enter the rebuilt Pac-12 as one of the conference's top athletic programs, bringing a nationally respected football program and a basketball program that has become a consistent NCAA tournament contender. The Broncos arrive from the Mountain West as maybe the strongest brand among the league's newest schools.
For Washington State Cougars fans, Boise State is already a familiar opponent. The two schools have played in several memorable football games in the past and have faced off in basketball in recent years. Now, those matchups carry conference championship implications as both programs begin a new chapter in the Pac-12.
Football has long been the standard in Boise. Few Group of 5 programs have matched the success the Broncos have enjoyed since 2000, as they have racked up multiple conference championships, a plethora of double-digit win seasons, numerous New Year's Six bowl appearances, making Boise State one of college football's most recognizable programs.
Colorado State is the latest program to join the rebuilt Pac-12, bringing a combination of recent basketball success and a football program searching for a new direction. The former Mountain West member now finds itself in the same conference as Washington State, adding another familiar regional opponent to a league that continues to take shape ahead of a new era.
For Washington State fans, Colorado State is not an unfamiliar foe. The two programs have met on the football field in recent years. Now, those matchups become conference games, adding another layer of intrigue to the new-look Pac-12.
Football remains a work in progress in Fort Collins. The Rams have reached just one bowl game over the last seven seasons and have struggled to build consistent momentum. Those challenges led to change within the program, as Colorado State moved on from coach Jay Norvell during the middle of last season.
Washington State basketball picked up another commitment on Wednesday, as Spanish guard Pedro Sancho Moraga officially signed with the Cougars, becoming the final addition to David Riley's 2026-27 roster.
The 6-1 Sancho Moraga heralds from Valencia, Spain, and spent last season at the Academy of Central Florida after developing through Valencia Basket Academy and later playing for Zentro C.B.'s junior team in Madrid.
There are no publicly available statistics from his season at the Academy of Central Florida. However, during the 2024-25 season while playing professionally in Spain at just 17 years old, Sancho Moraga averaged 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 15 games. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but Washington State's coaching staff is betting on his potential rather than immediate production.
A familiar foe for many of its new rivals, including the Washington State Cougars, the San Diego State Aztecs enter the rebuilt Pac-12 as one of the conference's top additions.
While the Aztecs are best known for their basketball success, they have consistently fielded competitive programs in both football and men's basketball, immediately raising the profile of the new-look conference.
For Washington State fans, San Diego State is hardly an unfamiliar opponent. The Cougars and Aztecs have faced each other several times in football over the years, including as recently as last season when Washington State emerged victorious, but those matchups will now carry much more significance as conference games.