Report: Texas State receives verbal offer to join Mountain West, Pac-12 expresses interest

State of Texas has received a verbal offer to join Mountain WestESPN's Pete Thamel reported. The Pac-12 has also expressed interest as the dominoes continue to fall on the conference realignment.

Texas State is considered an up-and-coming program and was mentioned as a potential Mountain West destination last week. A decision is expected in the coming days, according to Thamel, and the news came as the Bobcats took the lead Sam Houston State in a Week 5 matchup.

Texas State struggled after promotion to the FBS in 2012, but GJ Kinne brought them to an 8-5 record in 2023. The Bobcats also started the 2024 season 2-1, suffering their only loss Arizona State.

The Mountain West is trying to get back to the eight-team threshold to be considered an FBS conference after five teams were eliminated in 2026. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State And State of Utah are all headed to the Pac-12 – starting another round of realignment.

Northern Illinois And Toledo According to multiple reports, MWC members are also being considered. Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez informed MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher of the league's interest in both schools Yahoo! Sport' Ross Dellenger. They would be pure football members.

More on Mountain West, Pac-12 realignment

Additional MWC teams were considered by the Pac-12, but all signed binding commitment agreements Thursday and will receive new distribution payments thanks to exit fees flowing into the league.

UNLV And air force — widely considered the Pac-12's top targets — will receive 24.5% of the distribution. Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State And Wyoming all receive 11.5% during Hawaii As a pure football member, you receive 5%.

The Mountain West and Pac-12 are also in the middle of a legal battle. Late last week, the Pac-12 sued the Mountain West over “Penalties for poaching” in their delivery schedule. These have no connection with the exit fees according to the conference statutes.

As part of the agreement, the Pac-12 agreed to a $10 million penalty for the first Mountain West school acquired, On3's Pete Nakos reported. From there, the number would increase by about $1 million per school. With five additions from the MWC, the Pac-12 would owe about $50 million.