Commissioner Gloria Nevarez says the Mountain West is poised for a bright future despite a major reshuffle that will define the conference’s 28th football season. Five of the league’s most recognizable programs—Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State—have accepted invitations to join the newly re‑branded Pac-12 Conference.
New members and the road ahead
To replace the departing schools, the Mountain West added three institutions: FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The league’s football membership drops from twelve to ten schools.
“We really do believe in the strength of Mountain West football,” Nevarez told reporters. “Industry experts and our own analysts are optimistic about the talent we’ve retained, the talent we’ve attracted and the coaching caliber in this league.” She cautioned that the true test will be on the field.
Championship race outlook
Oddsmakers have already positioned New Mexico, North Dakota State and UNLV as early favorites, each posting 3‑1 odds or better at major sportsbooks. Air Force and Hawaii also appear as potential contenders.
UNLV, which fell to Boise State in the conference title game for three straight seasons, hopes to break that streak. Coach Dan Mullen emphasized the team’s focus on the Mountain West championship as the season begins.
Key players and staying power
UNLV running back Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas emerged as a standout last season, averaging 7.0 yards per carry, rushing for 1,036 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. Mullen noted that Thomas has received attention from larger programs, yet chose to remain at UNLV, citing the supportive environment in Las Vegas.
North Dakota State, a dominant force at the FCS level with ten championships in the past fifteen years, aims to prove it can compete consistently at the FBS level. Former Wyoming offensive coordinator Tim Polasek highlighted the resources and scholarships now available to the Bison.
Coaching changes
At Northern Illinois, defensive coordinator Rob Harley stepped into the interim head‑coach role after Thomas Hammock departed for a position with the Seattle Seahawks. Harley praised the program’s long‑standing foundation and indicated he will continue overseeing the defense while leading the team.
Future expansion outlook
Nevarez indicated that the conference is not actively seeking additional members, though she left the door open for future opportunities that align with the league’s goals. She cited the stability of current multimedia contracts, which run through the 2031‑32 academic year, as a factor in maintaining a ten‑team structure for now.
With the conference’s composition settled for the upcoming season, the Mountain West’s success will hinge on how its remaining programs perform on the field and whether the new members can quickly adapt to the heightened competition of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
