MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE INTRODUCES THREE NEW TEAMS

North Dakota State, UTEP and Northern Illinois set their travel plans towards the west as they become the newest members to join the Mountain West Conference.

How will the conference perform with Boise State, Fresno State, Utah State, Colorado State and San Diego State departing?

The Mountain West 2026 conference football schedules were recently released and they reflect both departures and additions to the portfolio. Gone are members Boise State, Fresno State, Utah State, Colorado State and San Diego State and added are North Dakota State, University Texas El Paso and Northern Illinois. The new format will allow for four home and four away games with each team playing eight of the nine remaining conference teams. A conference Championship game will feature the two teams with the highest conference winning percentage. The possibility of a College Football Playoff berth will be up for grabs.

Much conversation is centered around how the conference will stack up after losing several key football schools. Boise departs after winning seven conference titles. Fresno is second with four titles and Colorado State and San Diego State both have three titles. The only remaining team that has a conference title is San Jose State from the shortened 2020 season. Additionally, the discussion of North Dakota State stepping up to FBS level and how they can compete will be one of the most interesting story lines of the upcoming season. Following are the teams conference schedules. A more in depth analysis of non conference games will follow later this season.

Away: Nevada, New Mexico, NIU, Wyoming

Home: North Dakota State, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP

Away: Nevada, NIU, UTEP, Wyoming

Home: New Mexico, North Dakota State, San Jose State, UNLV

Away: NIU, North Dakota State, UNLV, UTEP

Home: Air Force, Hawai’i, New Mexico, San Jose State

Away: Hawai’i, Nevada, San Jose State, Wyoming

Home: Air Force, North Dakota State, UNLV, UTEP

Away: Air Force, Hawai’i, New Mexico, UNLV

Home: Nevada, NIU, UTEP, Wyoming

Away: North Dakota State, San Jose State, UNLV, Wyoming

Home: Air Force, Hawai’i, Nevada, UTEP

Away: Air Force, Hawai’i, Nevada, UTEP

Home: New Mexico, NIU, UNLV, Wyoming

Away: Air Force, Hawai’i, New Mexico, San Jose State

Home: Nevada, NIU, North Dakota State, Wyoming

Away: Air Force, New Mexico, NIU, North Dakota State

Home: Hawai’i, Nevada, San Jose State, Wyoming

Away: North Dakota State, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP

Home: Air Force, Hawai’i, New Mexico, NIU