The landscape of college football continues to shift at a dizzying pace. Hot on the heels of North Dakota State's seismic leap to the FBS, another program is preparing to make the jump. This time, the spotlight turns to the West Coast, where Sacramento State is reportedly finalizing a deal to join the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The MAC's Westward Expansion
According to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Mid-American Conference is set to formally welcome Sacramento State as a football-only member starting in the 2026 season. The move represents a significant geographic expansion for the traditionally Midwest-centric MAC, stretching its footprint all the way to California.
Thamel broke the news on social media, stating, "Sources: The MAC has voted to formally add FCS Sacramento State into the league as a football-only member starting in 2026. The cost of entrance is expected to be $18 million and a deal is expected to be announced in the upcoming days." This substantial fee underscores the escalating value and competitive cost of securing a seat at the FBS table.
Filling the Void in the Conference
This addition serves as a direct replacement for Northern Illinois, which is scheduled to depart the MAC for the revamped Mountain West Conference in that same 2026 window. The swap will maintain the MAC's membership numbers while injecting a new program and market into the league. On a national scale, Sacramento State's promotion will bump the total number of FBS programs from 137 to 138, marking another step in the subdivision's steady growth.
A Different Kind of Ascent
While the Hornets' move follows North Dakota State's headline-grabbing announcement, the circumstances surrounding the two programs are markedly different. NDSU arrives in the FBS as a decorated FCS powerhouse, a program accustomed to national championships and immediate respect. For Sacramento State, the path forward may require more patience and building.
The Hornets boast a massive student population that rivals many FBS schools, providing a strong foundation. Their peak in recent history came under former coach Troy Taylor from 2019 to 2022, a golden era that saw the team compile a stellar 30-8 record, capture a conference title, and make three consecutive FCS playoff appearances.
However, since Taylor's departure for Stanford, the program has experienced coaching turnover and has not yet recaptured that dominant form. The task of leading this new FBS era falls to head coach Alonzo Carter, who inherits a team coming off a 7-5 season. Carter now faces the dual challenge of elevating the roster's performance while managing the heightened expectations that come with competing at college football's highest level.
What's Next for the Hornets?
The upcoming seasons will be a fascinating test for Sacramento State. Can they leverage their large institutional size and California recruiting base to quickly become competitive in the MAC? Or will they face the growing pains typical of many programs making the FCS-to-FBS transition? Their journey will be one of the more intriguing subplots in the ever-evolving world of college athletics.
One thing is certain: the constant churn of conference realignment shows no signs of slowing down. As programs like Sacramento State seek new opportunities and conferences like the MAC look to strategically expand, the map of college football will keep being redrawn, promising more surprises and storylines for fans in the years to come.
