By Luke Fletcher ｜ Ft Collins, Colorado

LAS VEGAS — If there was one word that defined the 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days, it was confidence.

Less than a year after losing five cornerstone football programs to the rebuilt Pac-12, many expected the conference’s annual gathering in Las Vegas to be dominated by questions about survival. Instead, Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, conference officials, coaches, and student-athletes delivered a very different message.

The Mountain West isn’t looking backward. It’s looking ahead.

From the unveiling of its new “Built Bold” brand to the launch of an innovative streaming platform and the excitement surrounding its newest members, the conference made it clear that its focus is on building the future—not dwelling on the past. Here are the 10 biggest takeaways from the 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days.

1. The “Built Bold” Era Has Officially Begun and MW+ is a Game-Changer

The conference’s new branding was front and center throughout Media Days. “Built Bold” isn’t simply a slogan—it represents the Mountain West’s new identity. Rather than defining itself by the departures of Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Utah State, the conference is positioning itself as a league built on innovation, resilience, and opportunity.

Everything from the event presentation to conference messaging reflected an organization eager to write its next chapter. Perhaps the most significant announcement wasn’t about football at all.

The Mountain West officially introduced MW+, becoming the first FBS conference to launch its own direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

Unlike traditional television agreements, MW+ creates an additional revenue stream while giving schools greater control over premium content and fan engagement. Even more notable, approximately 60 percent of subscription revenue is expected to flow directly back to member institutions. If successful, MW+ could become a model that other Group of Five conferences eventually follow.

2. Expansion Is Complete…For Now

One of the most anticipated topics entering Media Days centered on conference expansion. Would another football member be added? Commissioner Gloria Nevarez made it clear the Mountain West isn’t in a hurry.

The conference appears comfortable with its current football lineup:

• Air Force
• Hawai’i
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Northern Illinois
• North Dakota State
• San José State
• UNLV
• UTEP
• Wyoming

Rather than chasing numbers, conference leadership emphasized finding institutions that strengthen the league competitively, academically, and culturally.

3. North Dakota State Is Already Turning Heads

No newcomer generated more excitement than North Dakota State. After years of dominating the FCS landscape, the Bison officially enter the FBS level carrying enormous expectations.

Coaches and media alike discussed whether NDSU can immediately contend for conference championships and potentially earn a College Football Playoff berth in future seasons. Based on the conversations throughout the week, few programs enter a new conference with as much respect as the Bison.

4. Hawaii Has Become the Team to Beat

If Media Days produced one overwhelming favorite, it was Hawaii. Quarterback Micah Alejado received significant preseason recognition while head coach Timmy Chang enters the season with growing momentum.

The Rainbow Warriors were consistently mentioned as one of the favorites to compete for the conference championship, reflecting just how much the program has progressed over the past few seasons. For the first time in years, Hawaii arrives at the season carrying genuine championship expectations.

5. Dan Mullen Has Elevated Expectations at UNLV

UNLV is no longer viewed as a rising program. It’s now viewed as a legitimate championship contender. The hiring of Dan Mullen continues to generate excitement around the Rebels, and coaches throughout the conference acknowledged the talent returning to Las Vegas. Between roster continuity, recruiting momentum, and one of college football’s most accomplished coaches, expectations for UNLV have never been higher.

6. The Mountain West’s Bowl Future Is Well Positioned

One of the more significant announcements during Media Days was a clearer picture of the Mountain West’s postseason path beyond the College Football Playoff. The conference champion’s first goal remains earning a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. If the Mountain West champion secures one of the CFP’s automatic qualifying positions, the league will be represented on college football’s biggest stage.

If the champion is not selected for the CFP, the Mountain West’s highest-ranked available team will be placed by ESPN Events into one of six bowl games:

• 🏈 Boca Raton Bowl (Florida)
• 🏈 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Idaho)
• 🏈 Puerto Rico Bowl
• 🏈 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Texas)
• 🏈 Frisco Bowl (Texas)
• 🏈 Isleta New Mexico Bowl (New Mexico)

Beyond ESPN’s bowl inventory, the Mountain West also maintains two additional guaranteed bowl tie-ins:

• 🏈 Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl
• 🏈 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl

The conference also retains a backup agreement with the Cactus Bowl, giving the league additional postseason flexibility if needed. The Mountain West has participated in the Cactus Bowl in two of the past three seasons, demonstrating its continued value as a postseason partner.

Taken together, the bowl lineup provides multiple opportunities for Mountain West programs to earn quality postseason destinations while maintaining a clear pathway to the College Football Playoff.

7. The College Football Playoff Remains a Major Focus

Commissioner Nevarez reiterated the conference’s commitment to maintaining meaningful access to the College Football Playoff. As postseason formats continue to evolve, Mountain West leadership emphasized the importance of preserving opportunities for high-performing Group of Five champions while continuing to advocate for a fair and competitive selection process.

The conference also voiced support for broader legislative solutions that provide long-term stability for college athletics.

8. The Financial Picture Continues to Improve

Media Days also highlighted encouraging business news. Conference officials pointed to:

• Approximately $118 million distributed to member institutions
• A new six-year media rights agreement
• Growing commercial partnerships
• New jersey patch sponsorships
• Additional revenue opportunities through MW+

Collectively, those developments reinforce that the Mountain West remains on stable financial footing despite significant conference realignment.

9. The Biggest Victory Was Changing the Narrative

More than any single announcement, the greatest success of the week was changing the conversation. Instead of defending the conference against criticism over realignment, Mountain West leadership spent two days discussing innovation, investment, growth, and the future.

That represents a remarkable shift in perception. A year ago, many questioned whether the conference could recover.

Today, the discussion has evolved into whether the Mountain West can become the nation’s premier Group of Five conference once again.

10. Don’t Sleep on Wyoming

While much of the preseason attention has centered on Hawaii, UNLV, and newcomer North Dakota State, one program quietly emerged as a potential dark horse during Media Days: Wyoming.

Head coach Jay Sawvel and the Cowboys aren’t generating the same national headlines as some of the conference favorites, but that’s exactly where Wyoming has often thrived. Known for its physical style of play, disciplined defense, and home-field advantage at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, the Cowboys have built a reputation for exceeding expectations when counted out.

Several coaches and media members acknowledged that Wyoming has the talent and experience to compete near the top of the standings. If the offense takes a step forward and the Cowboys continue to play their trademark brand of tough, mistake-free football, they could find themselves squarely in the Mountain West championship race by November. In a conference entering a new era, Wyoming may be the team no contender wants to face.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days accomplished exactly what conference leadership hoped they would. The event wasn’t about what the Mountain West lost.

It was about what the conference has built. With a fresh identity, innovative revenue initiatives, respected new members, and renewed optimism across its campuses, the Mountain West leaves Las Vegas entering the 2026 season with momentum and purpose.

Whether that momentum translates into championships, national rankings, and a College Football Playoff berth remains to be seen.

One thing, however, is undeniable. The Mountain West has turned the page. Now comes the opportunity to prove that its bold new vision can deliver an even brighter future.