College football realignment continues to be a chaotic and ever-evolving landscape, with the latest chapter unfolding as we approach the 2026 season. The sport's top-tier division, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), is experiencing a significant shakeup, with conference switches and new members adding complexity to the college football ecosystem. This year's moves have resulted in a total of 47 FBS schools changing conferences, bringing the total number of FBS teams to 138, a remarkable increase from 130 in 2021. This rapid growth has sparked discussions about the future of college football and the sustainability of its current structure.
The story of this year's realignment began with the shocking departure of Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 to the SEC in 2021. This event set off a chain reaction, leading to further conference switches and a reshuffling of teams across the country. The Pac-12, once a powerhouse conference, has been particularly affected, losing 10 schools to other conferences in 2024. This exodus left the Pac-12 with just Oregon State and Washington State, prompting a strategic partnership with the Mountain West for football and other sports.
To address the FBS-mandated minimum of eight members, the Pac-12 welcomed five new schools from the Mountain West, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State. The addition of Texas State from the Sun Belt further solidified the conference's commitment to maintaining its FBS status. The Pac-12's expansion also includes the inclusion of Gonzaga, a basketball powerhouse, as a non-football member, adding a unique dimension to the conference.
The Mountain West, on the other hand, faced a crisis following the Pac-12's departures. However, they managed to secure favorable deals with Air Force and UNLV, keeping them in the conference. The addition of UTEP from Conference USA and Hawaii as a full member helped stabilize the league. Northern Illinois and North Dakota State were also brought in as football-only members, with the latter benefiting from a recent NCAA rule change that allows them to be bowl eligible immediately.
Conference USA, the only conference to have experienced membership changes in each of the last five years, saw UTEP join the Mountain West, while Louisiana Tech announced its move to the Sun Belt. This series of changes has led to a more compact and geographically aligned conference structure.
The Sun Belt, despite losing Texas State to the Pac-12, remains a 14-team league after adding Louisiana Tech. This move reinforces the conference's focus on a tight geographic footprint, bringing its members even closer together. The MAC, meanwhile, replaced Northern Illinois with Sacramento State, a team from California, marking a significant shift in the conference's geographical distribution.
As the 2026 season approaches, the college football landscape continues to evolve, with conferences realigning and new members joining. The FBS's rapid growth raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the current structure, prompting discussions about the future of college football and the potential impact on the sport's integrity and tradition.
