The San Diego State Aztecs have been picked to finish third in the first season of the reconstituted Pac-12 Conference.

To no one’s surprise, national power Gonzaga was picked to finish first in voting by the media that will regularly cover the conference.

The Zags are the marquee attraction in the new Pac-12, which also includes holdovers Washington State and Oregon State, four other teams that moved over from the Mountain West along with SDSU, and fellow newcomer Texas State.

Oct 24, 2026; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few points to a player during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Utah State was picked to finish second, based on the Aggies winning the MW regular-season title and then beating the Aztecs in the conference tournament championship game to claim the automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.…