The 2026 college football season is officially underway, and with it comes the excitement of bowl projections for teams in the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences. As teams gear up for their campaigns, analysts are already speculating on which squads might secure coveted bowl berths. This week marks the first round of projections, with a focus on how teams from both conferences might fare as the season progresses.
This year's bowl tie-ins present a unique challenge, as the affiliations appear more complicated than in previous seasons. The Mountain West Conference (MWC) will designate the Potato Bowl as the site for its champion, although the actual champion could potentially end up in one of six different bowl games. For the sake of clarity, the projections will reflect the team expected to win the MWC, but this is subject to change as the season unfolds.
In the case of the Pac-12, the traditional bowl tie-ins remain intact for legacy teams. The reigning champion is projected to participate in the Poinsettia Bowl, but beyond that, the landscape is less certain. The Sun Bowl is also mentioned as a likely destination for a new Pac-12 team, given its history as the last bowl to select from the conference. This makes the projections particularly fluid, as the outcomes of early-season games will significantly influence bowl eligibility and rankings.
To assist in understanding the complex bowl affiliations, an accompanying key has been provided. While the accuracy of this key may evolve, it offers a snapshot of how analysts are approaching their projections. Fans are encouraged to engage and share their thoughts in the comments section, as the conversation around bowl possibilities is bound to heat up as teams begin to play.
For the Mountain West, several teams are highlighted in the initial projections. The Potato Bowl is currently earmarked for New Mexico, which is seen as a strong contender for the conference championship. Other notable teams include North Dakota State, which is projected to play in the Hawaii Bowl, and Air Force, expected to make an appearance in the Arizona Bowl. The New Mexico Bowl is projected to feature Hawaii, while UNLV is listed as a backup for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
As for the Pac-12, the Poinsettia Bowl is expected to host the conference champion, with Washington State and San Diego State also being mentioned for potential selections in the Sun Bowl. The projections for the Pac-12 are still tentative, as no games have been played yet. The uncertainty surrounding the conference's future, especially with teams potentially moving to different affiliations, adds another layer of intrigue to these early projections.
As the season progresses, analysts will continue to update their projections based on team performances and emerging narratives. The first week of games is anticipated to provide significant insights into how these teams will stack up against one another, and the bowl picture will become clearer as the season unfolds. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the dynamics of the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences evolve throughout the 2026 season.
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