As is often the case in college athletics, a new week has given legs to yet another realignment rumor.
The Mountain West lost five teams to the Pac-12 in September, as the Boise State Broncos, Colorado State Rams, Fresno State Bulldogs, San Diego State Aztecs, and Utah State Aggies announced plans to join the reformed Pac-12 starting in 2026.
The MWC stopped the bleeding and agreed with their remaining seven teams, including popular realignment targets Air Force Falcons and UNLV Rebels, to stay in the conference.
These five departures have caused issues for the conference, though. The NCAA requires conferences to have at least eight full-time members.
Several targets have already been on the Mountain West’s radar, with reports indicating recent offers to the Texas State Bobcats and interest in the Northern Illinois Huskies.
On Monday, we learned of another team in the conference’s sights.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Mountain West is in ‘deep talks’ with the UTEP Miners to leave Conference USA and join the MWC, and both sides are interested.
Sources: The Mountain West is in deep discussions with UTEP, and there’s mutual interest between both sides. A deal has yet to be finalized, but an answer on UTEP joining the league is expected soon. pic.twitter.com/NXSWwh8tIi
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 1, 2024
UTEP has been in Conference USA since 2005. Geographically, the addition makes a lot of sense. While UTEP has never been dominant in football or men’s basketball, it has remained competent enough through the years to still have strong fanbases and followings in both.
