Potential Teams for the Mountain West to Add

The Mountain West is losing teams and needs to replace them. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State are joining the Pac-12 in 2026. Here are potential Teams for the Mountain West to add.

1. UTEP Miners

UTEP is in Conference-USA, but that is a conference that requires them to travel pretty far east a decent amount. Being in west Texas, they could fit more geographically with the Mountain West.

While they have had some tough times recently, the Miners have had some success historically. They won the national championship in basketball during the 1965-66 season. The football program has failed to find sustained progress, but the Mountain West likely can’t be too picky if they want to get their number back up.

2. New Mexico State Aggies

New Mexico State has bounced around conferences. They were an Independent in football, but recently joined Conference USA. The Aggies are rivals with UTEP, but they’ll likely be in alignment on wanting to join the Mountain West.

New Mexico State’s in-state rival, New Mexico, is already in the Mountain West, so it makes sense to add New Mexico State. They fit geographically and do have a basketball program that had success as a mid-major. New Mexico State and UTEP are the easy ones to add quickly for the Mountain West.

3. Sam Houston State Bearkats

There could be a chance that the Mountain West goes for some teams from other conferences, but they may not be able to secure them. Memphis and USF have been talked about in realignment talks, but that would be a lot of travel. Sam Houston State could make a little more sense geographically, as they are in Texas, although they are across the state from UTEP.

Sam Houson State just moved up to Division I, so this is more of a risky move for the Mountain West. They are a solid option though and with time could grow to compete in both football and basketball.

4. FCS Options

The Pac-12 and the Mountain West will likely be looking at FCS options to add to their conference. Several FCS teams have moved up to the FBS level in recent years and there could be more on the way with the expanded CFP.

North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana and Montana State have all had success at the FCS level and could make sense geographically. Additionally, Idaho was formerly at the FBS level and are now playing in the FCS. Getting the schools to come up to a conference that isn’t a powerhouse could be tough, as all these teams can compete for national titles at the FCS level.

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