Northern Illinois isn’t expected to join the Mountain West for football until 2026

DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois has accepted an invitation to join the football-only Mountain West in 2026, the school and conference announced Tuesday.

The Huskies will move from the Midwest-based MAC to a conference whose easternmost school is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They will join Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming in the Mountain West region.

“This decision will open new opportunities for our student-athletes, expand the reach and strengthen the national brand of Huskie Football as they represent NIU and compete for championships the hard way and the right way,” said President NIU, Lisa C. Freeman. a declaration.

Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said NIU’s “history of football success and commitment to academic excellence” were draws.

Northern Illinois played 39 seasons in the MAC over two stints from 1975 to 1985 and since 1997. It was part of the Big West Conference in football from 1993 to 1995 and operated as an independent from 1986 to 1992, as well as in 1996.

The Huskies went 8-5 this season and pulled off a huge feat at then No. 1 seed. 5 Notre-Dame in September. The victory propelled them into the Associated Press poll for the first time in 11 years.

The Huskies have consistently been among the best teams in the MAC for two decades. They made 15 bowl games during that span, and the 2012 team even made the Orange Bowl, featuring star quarterback Jordan Lynch.

It’s unclear which conference other Northern Illinois teams will compete in starting in 2026. The school said it has “multiple options” with Midwest conferences and remains in talks with the MAC.

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Originally published: January 7, 2025 at 3:41 p.m. MST