Pac-12, Mountain West Eye Expansion As Realignment Enters New Phase

After a complicated, confusing, and chaotic week, the latest round of conference realignment is heading into its next phase, as the Pac-12 and Mountain West look to fill out their long-term membership. Those two conferences have been at the center of the drama this week, with crucial dynamics changing daily. 

As things stand now, the Pac-12 has seven schools signed up for 2026 and beyond: current members Oregon State and Washington State, as well as Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State. The latter five are leaving the Mountain West, which has Air Force, Hawai‘i (partial member), Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, and Wyoming committed.

But both leagues need to eventually have at least eight full-time members to retain their FBS status, and they’d no doubt love even more. With the 15-team American Athletic Conference locked up together, they’ll have to look at schools from Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, and Sun Belt—and potentially even current FCS programs. 

Who’s Next?

On Thursday, Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez notified the MAC that her conference is interested in adding Northern Illinois and Toledo as football-only members, according to Action Network and other reports. 

Texas State appears to be a potential target, too, with various reports linking the current Sun Belt member to discussions with the Pac-12, Mountain West, and even AAC. C-USA’s New Mexico State and UTEP have also been floated as options.

FCS program Sacramento State just announced plans to build a new 25,000-seat stadium in the school’s latest effort to make its case for a move up to the FBS level. Earlier this month, local officials launched a committee to aid funding for a potential move—which would cost at least $5 million—should a conference like the Pac-12 or Mountain West be interested. FCS powerhouses like Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, and South Dakota State could theoretically be options to jump up, too.