In the modern era of college football, realignment has shattered the once-illustrious scene of regional conference rivalries. Simultaneously, the number of FBS independents has gradually dwindled, leaving only Notre Dame and UConn. In 2023, independents BYU, Liberty and New Mexico State joined conferences: the Cougars headed to the Big 12 while the Flames and Aggies joined Conference USA. Shortly after, Army joined the American Athletic Conference in 2024. In 2025, UMass ended their independence when they joined the Mid-American Conference, leaving only two teams independent.
Notre Dame’s independence has always garnered scrutiny from opponents and media alike, but that sentiment has only grown in recent years. After joining the ACC for football during the COVID-19 season in 2020, the Irish returned to their independence and have since stood by their decision. This season, the CFP made the controversial decision to exclude Notre Dame in postseason play, only bolstering the argument against their independence. But the Irish remain steadfast.
This season, a new wave of realignment has once again rocked the college football world. The Pac-12 conference has risen from the ashes after nearly dissolving in 2024, the Mountain West has added two new teams and two FCS powers have made the move to the FBS level.
In 2024, no conference was devastated by conference realignment as significantly as the Pac-12. UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington headed to the Big Ten while Stanford and Cal left for the ACC. By the time Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State were gone to the Big 12, only Oregon State and Washington State remained. Now, the conference has rebuilt itself up to nine members, with eight of them football-playing. Along with the Beavers and Cougars, six new football-playing schools will join the conference: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State join from the Mountain West, while Texas State does so from Conference USA. A ninth member, Gonzaga, also joins the conference, but has not fielded a football team since 1941.
After losing five members to the rebuilt Pac-12, the Mountain West also had to make difficult decisions to cut their losses. Down to just six football-playing members and seven members total, the league announced that it would add UTEP from Conference USA and Northern Illinois from the MAC. Now up to eight football-playing members for 2026, the league wasn’t done.
In recent years, there has been a slow yet steady wave of FCS teams making the jump to the FBS subdivision of college football. In 2022, James Madison made the jump to the FBS when they joined the Sun Belt, bringing Curt Cignetti with them. The following season, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State joined Conference USA. In 2024, Kennesaw State also joined CUSA. Finally, CUSA added their third and fourth former FCS teams in three years when they announced the additions of Delaware and Missouri State for the 2025 season. Now, the 2026 season brings two new FCS powers to the FBS level.
On Feb. 9, 2026, it was officially announced that the perennial FCS power of the last 15 years, North Dakota State, will join the Mountain West as a football-only member and tenth member overall. Since 2010, the Bison have won an astounding 10 FCS national championships, their most recent being in 2024. In fact, since moving to the FCS in 2004, North Dakota State holds a 9-5 record against FBS opponents, including an away victory at Iowa in 2016, with the Hawkeyes ranked No. 13 at the time. Now, the Bison will look to make some noise at college football’s highest level, which will include the school petitioning for immediate CFP eligibility. Currently, the bylaws of college football prevent new FBS members from competing in postseason play for their first two seasons in the FBS, but North Dakota State will seek to bypass that.
Following North Dakota State, it was announced on Feb. 14 that Sacramento State would join the MAC as a football-only member following the departure of NIU. The Hornets do not quite bring the prestige of the Bison, but have found success at the FCS level nonetheless. They have won the Big Sky conference three times in the last decade, taking home the conference title in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
The numerous conference changes and shifts in loyalties have buzzed through the college football community. As schools look to make power plays to earn more prestige and profit, the age of independence is losing popularity, with Notre Dame standing steadfast in its decision.
