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

Texas State is considered an emerging program and emerged as a potential target in the Mountain West last week. According to Thamel, a decision is expected in the coming days, and the news came while the Bobcats were in the lead Sam Houston State in a Week 5 matchup.

Texas State struggled after moving to FBS in 2012, but… GJ Kinne led them to an 8-5 record in 2023. The Bobcats also started the 2024 season 2-1, with their lone loss coming State of Arizona.

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

Northern Illinois And Toledo are also being investigated as MWC members, according to multiple reports. Commissioner of Berg West Gloria Nevarez informed MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher of the league’s interest in both schools, said Yahoo! Sport’ Ross Dellenger. They would only be football members.

More on Mountain West, Pac-12 realignment

More MWC teams were being considered by the Pac-12, but all signed binding commitment agreements on Thursday and will see new distribution payments thanks to the exit fees coming into the league.

UNLV And Air Force – widely seen as the top targets for the Pac-12 – will receive 24.5% of the distribution. Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State And Wyoming all get 11.5% while Hawaii receives 5% as a football-only member.

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 for “penalties for poaching” in their planning agreement. These are not related to the exit fees under the conference statutes.

Under the agreement, the Pac-12 agreed to a $10 million fine for the first acquired Mountain West school, On3’s Piet Nakos reported. From there, the figure would increase by about $1 million per school. With five additions on the way from the MWC, the Pac-12 would be owed approximately $50 million.