Northern Illinois’ interest in joining the Mountain West as a football-only member is “waning,” so the Mountain West is now considering FCS member North Dakota State, sources told Action Network.
If NIU remains in the MAC, it also guarantees Toledo will stay in the MAC, a source said. In September, Action Network first reported the Mountain West had initiated discussions with NIU and Toledo as potential football-only members.
NIU initially was “intrigued” in the Mountain West because of a larger media rights deal compared to the MAC, sources said.
Ultimately, the uncertainty of the MWC’s future, football competitiveness for access to the College Football Playoff as well as NIU’s loyalty to the MAC — where the Huskies have been members for nearly 30 years — were deciding factors in staying in the MAC, sources said.
North Dakota State, a power in the FCS, has qualified for the FCS playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons and won nine national titles during an 11-year stretch from 2011-21.
There's support within the Mountain West for North Dakota State. However, there's “some concern” that FBS power brokers — such as SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commish Tony Petitti — may use their influence to limit more FCS schools moving to the FBS ranks, industry sources said.
In 2026, the Mountain West’s football membership will have eight schools — Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.
The MWC also is adding Grand Canyon as a non-football member, giving the league nine basketball members.
The Mountain West is still seeking another football-only school to have nine football members, sources said. If the Mountain West adds North Dakota State, the Bison could compete in the Mountain West in 2026 but likely would not be eligible for the postseason until 2027.
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