Realignment Rolls Downhill: FCS and the NEC in the Wake of Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State to the Pac-12

In the latest wave of conference realignment, Washington State and Oregon State, the last members standing in the Pac-2, have added Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State from the Mountain West. With these moves, the Pac-2 transforms into the Pac-6, leaving the Mountain West with just eight teams and a host of big decisions ahead. Realignment for the Pac-6 is certainly not done, either: the league needs 8 members to remain a recognized FBS conference. They’ll look to do that by adding at least two more members, although it seems at this point that those schools won’t be from the Mountain West.

A Golden Opportunity for FCS Powerhouses and the NEC

This realignment creates a pathway for four dominant FCS programs—Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, and South Dakota State—to elevate to the Mountain West. These schools have consistently thrived in the FCS and operate like FBS programs in terms of infrastructure, fan base, and competitiveness. Joining the Mountain West would not only enhance the conference but also create healthier parity in the FCS.

Without these juggernauts, other FCS leagues, including the NEC, will have more balanced competition. It can provide greater opportunities for programs that operate more traditionally in the FCS model, leveling the playing field and fostering more competitive seasons. For leagues like the NEC, removing the FCS heavyweights could lead to more championships, playoff berths, and growth for programs that might otherwise struggle against the likes of these FCS powerhouses.

Ultimately, the possibility that these schools move to FBS should be seen as a good thing for FCS. As conference realignment rolls ahead, irrespective of the wishes of fans around the country, we can start to see the separation of Division I football into three groups: the Power 2, the FBS, and the FCS. As the FBS loses the Big 10 and the SEC, it is natural that the best FCS programs should join the FBS to help solidify and define the divisions that are going to exist between the three groups. That’s what happened when James Madison moved up, and with schools like North Dakota State behaving like FBS programs, it makes sense that they should ultimately join that league. At this point and after the myriad of departures from the FCS, these four programs are some of the last that dominate the standings and playoffs with regularity. With their removal, one would project more parity to FCS, although there’s no guarantee that another school won’t step up into the power vacuum.

The Challenge of Overextension

The Mountain West’s recent history illustrates the danger of overexpansion without considering competitive balance. Schools like San Diego State and Boise State have long been the cream of the crop, although Boise State joined during the last major wave of realignment. As the conference added weaker programs like San Jose State and Nevada to effectively finish off the WAC, the gap between the top and bottom widened. This kind of disparity makes schools like San Diego State and Colorado State more eager to bolt when opportunities arise to effectively form a more competitive conference without the hangers-on, like the Pac-6. We should probably expect to see this kind of separation occur amongst the Big 10 and SEC one day, too.

By prioritizing expansion based on geography or media markets instead of competitiveness, the Mountain West unintentionally fostered an environment ripe for instability. As the Pac-6 rebrands and strengthens its ranks, conferences across the country, including the Mountain West, must evaluate the competitive integrity of their membership and avoid diluting their leagues with mismatched teams.

Realignment Rolls Downhill—The NEC Must Be Ready

As history has shown, realignment doesn't stop with the major conferences; it trickles down. The NEC, which has seen its own share of realignment over the years, must prepare for the domino effect that these changes could bring. Even though the Mountain West and Pac-6 are on a different level, the ripple effect could impact mid-major conferences in the FCS and beyond. For the NEC, this means staying proactive in discussions with schools about potential changes, considering how shifts in regional power dynamics could impact recruiting, travel, and competitiveness.

In the world of college athletics, no conference is immune to change. The NEC has seen schools come and go, and it will likely face more shifts in the future. By staying flexible and engaged with the wider landscape of college sports, the NEC can position itself to emerge stronger, no matter what the future holds.

It is so important for the league office to be ready, right now. For the NEC, expansion or rather replenishment occurs from Division II. It is imperative that the league is ready to replenish, is aware of which schools are open to the transition to Division I, and has a plan to emerge from this latest shift- with more to come- with a full league and competitive balance.

The latest realignment shifts are not just a reshuffling of teams but a reflection of broader trends in college sports. For FCS powerhouses like Montana and North Dakota State, it’s a chance to ascend to the FBS level. For the NEC, it’s an opportunity to recalibrate and prepare for a more competitive and balanced future. Whether it's the Pac-6, the Mountain West, or the NEC, the message is clear: adaptability and foresight are key to thriving in the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics.