UTEP Joins Mountain West, Texas State Considering Offer

UTEP is set to leave Conference USA and join the Mountain West Conference (MWC), with an official announcement expected soon. This move will help the MWC regain its status as an FBS conference, which requires eight full-time members. UTEP, which has long eyed the MWC as a better fit, will owe an exit fee to Conference USA. Meanwhile, Texas State has received a verbal offer to join the MWC but is also considering an offer from the Pac-12. Both conferences are scrambling to meet the NCAA's minimum membership requirements following significant realignments. The MWC has secured commitments from its remaining members, including UNLV and Air Force, to stay through 2032.