To catch up, the Hornets filed paperwork back in 2025 to move into the Football Bowl Subdivision — lifting them to a higher playing field. Rumblings swirled that the new Pac-12 would capitalize and add the Sacramento TV market (a top 20 market) by landing the Hornets. The Mountain West Conference also became linked as a possibility — especially after losing Central Valley representative Fresno State for 2026.Â
