College football as we know it has changed. In the wake of the biggest reshuffling of college football in the last decade-plus (and perhaps ever), the gears keep turning. North Dakota State and Sacramento State become the latest programs to leave the FCS for FBS membership in the Mountain West and MAC, respectively. All that and more below.
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2026
Sacramento State Leaves FCS, Joins MAC
After being stuck in FCS limbo, Sacramento State inked a deal to leave the FCS and join the MAC starting in 2026. Sac State had plans to join the FBS for some years and left the Big Sky to play independently in 2025. However, head coach Brennan Marion left the program ahead of the move, which seemed to be an indicator that Sac State was not close to joining the FBS ranks.
The deal makes the Hornets the 138th FBS program. It will cost Sacramento State $18M to make the immediate move.
North Dakota State Leaving FCS
The biggest FCS bombshell since James Madison in 2022, powerhouse North Dakota State will join the Mountain West. This move happens immediately, with the Bison playing FBS football this upcoming season. NDSU won 10 of the last 15 national championships, but was bounced by national runner-up Illinois State in a shocking upset at home this past postseason.
The move was reported as done by Pete Thamel on Feb. 8. It will cost NDSU a reported $17M to make the move immediately.
Pac-12 Revives Six New Members
The Pac-12, originally dead to rights, potentially saved its future by adding Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, and now Texas State, beginning this fall. Gonzaga joins as a non-football member, bringing total membership to the required eight. Those six programs in football join Washington State and Oregon State as full-time members.
Rumors surrounding Memphis and Tulane fizzled as both schools reportedly shot down joining the league.
UTEP Leaves Conference USA, Joins Mountain West
Looking to add two permanent members, the Mountain West added UTEP in October, 2024. The Miners join the league in 2026. Geographically, the move makes sense, as does it for revenue purposes. CUSA replaced UTEP with Missouri State and Delaware in 2025.
NIU Leaves The MAC In Favor Of Mountain West
Northern Illinois accepted an offer to join the Mountain West as a football-only member starting in 2026. NIU has history in western conferences, having played in the Big West from 1993-95. The school also left the MAC previously in 1985, opting for independence instead.
NIU’s addition brings the Mountain West to nine football members.
Louisiana Tech Heading To Sun Belt
In the wake of Texas State’s departure, Louisiana Tech leaves Conference USA to join the Sun Belt. Tech sits just 37 miles away from ULM and three hours north of Louisiana. The three will share a conference for the first time ever.