Is Tarleton a candidate to join the Mountain West Conference?

Conference realignment has re-entered the national college football conversation after the Pac-12 announced Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State will join the conference for the 2026-2027 school year.

Notably, all four schools are departing the Mountain West Conference. As we’ve learned over the last few years, realignment eventually extends into the non-FBS landscape. That became a reality when The Athletic’s Chris Vannini wrote about the MWC exploring the possibility of adding UTEP, Texas State, Sam Houston, and Tarleton. Vannini pointed out that Texas State is likely to remain in the Sun Belt and Conference USA, where UTEP and SHSU currently sit, is the only Group of 5 league with a grant of rights agreement, which increases the exit fee.

That leaves Tarleton as the most likely Texas school to join the MWC. However, multiple sources indicate that the FCS schools the MWC would prefer to add are a mix of North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Sacramento State, Montana, or Montana State - all before considering the Texans. 

If UTEP, Sam Houston, or New Mexico State were to join the MWC, that would leave a spot in CUSA. Many believe Tarleton would be the obvious choice for joining the CUSA. However, some sources caution the CUSA might not be interested in adding Tarleton despite previously considering the Texans due to conflicts that arose during the previous application process.

One thing every source agrees on is that Tarleton is contacting every FBS conference with an opening. The question isn’t if Tarleton wants to move to FBS. It’s if a conference will invite them.

Southland Conference PFF grades and advanced stats

Analysis: These stats are not weighted according to competition, so Stephen F. Austin is bolstered by a 96.8 grade and the stats accumulated in a season-opening 77-0 win over North American. However, the ‘Jacks posted solid grades against North Texas and McNeese, a game SFA should have won. Houston Christian’s ratings and stats were boosted from a 70-7 victory over Louisiana Christian. Let’s also remember the Huskies opened the season at SMU, and we know Jason Bachtel’s offense is always potent. 

Lamar’s defense posting a 0.292 DPPP, having played FBS Texas State, Mississippi Valley State, and No. 20 Weber State, is very impressive. The Cardinals lost to the Bobcats by seven points to open the season and defeated Weber State last week. This Cardinals will be in contention for the Southland title alongside UIW, whose schedule has been a decent Northern Colorado team, at No. 1 South Dakota State, and on the road against No. 8 Southern Illinois. The Cardinals' stats show they will be a force when the playoffs begin.

SWAC PFF grades and advanced stats

Analysis: The Prairie View A&M offense has struggled outside of a game at Northwestern State. The Panthers' offensive line has performed admirably, and their offense will find steam when the timing improves between the wide receivers and quarterback. PVAMU’s defense has been solid, and they put up a decent 48.8 grade at Michigan State last week.

Texas Southern has only played two games, one of which was at Rice. Interestingly, the Tigers had a better defensive grade (70.4) against the Owls than they did against PVAMU (61) in the Labor Day Classic.

United Athletic Conference PFF grades and advanced stats

Analysis: Three teams are clearly in the race for the UAC title and automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Abilene Christian, Tarleton, and Central Arkansas have separated themselves into the top tier. Eastern Kentucky, West Georgia, and North Alabama are in the second tier, followed by Austin Peay, Southern Utah, and Utah Tech.

It will be determined whether these early, mostly non-conference games indicate where teams will slot at the end of the season. However, it’s unlikely Austin Peay and Southern Utah will finish in the bottom third of the final standings. The Governors and Thunderbirds have played challenging schedules and remain a threat to challenge for the conference title.