The Mountain West Conference has announced the addition of Northern Illinois in football after the school's board of trustees approved the move on Tuesday. Northern Illinois, which will begin competing in the conference in 2026,

The Mountain West has been rebuilding since Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State agreed to join the Pac-12.

After spending 28 years as members of the Mid-American Conference, Northern Illinois are set to join the Mountain Wet Conference as conference realignment conti