Spring football has wrapped up, and fans are starting to get a clearer picture of what their team's depth chart might look like. That means it's time to break down specific position groups across the PAC-12 and Mountain West. With 18 teams to cover, we're focusing on a few standouts each week. After diving into quarterbacks and running backs, we're shifting our attention to the unsung heroes of the gridiron: the offensive line.
If there's one thing you can count on, it's disciplined, tough offensive line play from Air Force. No surprise here: the Falcons led the Mountain West in rushing last season and return plenty of production in the trenches. The last few years have been a struggle, but this feels like the year they get back on track—and it all starts with elite play up front. For a team known for its option offense, that offensive line is the engine that makes everything run.
San Diego State enjoyed a resurgent 2025 campaign, thanks in large part to a powerful rushing attack that finished second in the Mountain West. The Aztecs also did an excellent job protecting their quarterback, surrendering just 18 sacks all season. As they prepare to move to the PAC-12, they bring an experienced offensive line ready to compete with the conference's top teams. That kind of continuity is invaluable when facing bigger, faster defensive fronts.
Boise State's offensive line will likely be fine—eventually. But they lost starting left tackle Kage Casey to the NFL and are breaking in a new center. It's hard to feel confident about a unit replacing starters at the two most important positions on the line. Still, if this group can gel early, they'll anchor one of the country's best rushing attacks, powered by the electric tandem of Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines.
Over the last five or six years, one program has struggled to get its offensive line to click—and it's kept them from reaching their full potential. Consistency in the trenches is often the difference between a good season and a great one, and this team is still searching for that identity.