Northern Illinois confirmed on Tuesday that it is joining the Mountain West in 2026 as a football-only member.. The school hasn't made any decisions on where its other sports will play but remains ...

The addition of Northern Illinois gives the Mountain West nine football members. With it comes the ability to play a full 8-game conference slate.

Northern Illinois hopes to move all of its sports teams except football, women's gymnastics and men's wrestling to the Horizon League in 2026. Skip to content. All Sections. Subscribe Now.

Northern Illinois has played 125 seasons of college football and ranks among the top 30 FBS programs in wins over the past 15 seasons, a span in which it has won five MAC titles.