But one of its top football programs is now reportedly considering a move away from the Midwest-based league. According to numerous reports on Tuesday, Northern Illinois is weighing an offer to leave the MAC and join the Mountain West as a football-only member.

UC Davis will join the Mountain West in several sports, including basketball, in 2026. The Aggies, however, will continue to play football at the FBS level.

Pac-12, in turn, set its focus on teams from the Mountain West. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State are all making the jump to the Pac-12 where they’ll join Oregon State and Washington State as they try to reconstruct the conference.

The Mountain West Conference football opponents have been set for the 2025 season, the conference announced Tuesday.

Northern Illinois University’s football teams could be facing a steady dose of West Coast competition in upcoming seasons. According to multiple reports including CBSSports.com and Action Network, NIU officials are considering an offer to join the Mountain West Conference in the sport of football only.

One of the main reasons behind the offer is the significant increase in revenue distribution NIU would receive in the Mountain West compared to th