Mountain West Navigate Shifting Sands: Football Hopes, Hoops Action, and Conference Realignment

As the calendar turns to late January 2026, the Mountain West Conference finds itself at a pivotal juncture, navigating significant shifts in the collegiate athletics landscape while simultaneously pushing forward with its athletic programs. From critical seasons for football teams to ongoing basketball action and the looming shadows of conference realignment, the region is abuzz with developments documented in a recent report from Yahoo Sports.

Nevada Football Eyes Crucial 'Hump Year' in 2026

For the Nevada Wolf Pack football program, 2026 is being framed as an intensely important season, a "hump year," according to head coach Jeff Choate. This assessment comes from Chris Murray of NevadaSportsNet, who recapped Choate's recent press conference. The coaching staff and athletic department are clearly looking for tangible results on the field this fall. This heightened expectation is underpinned by two key factors: an observed increase in talent within the Wolf Pack's roster and a perceived decrease in overall competition across the Mountain West Conference. The latter point is particularly salient, stemming directly from the impending split of the Pac-12 Conference, which is expected to reshape the collegiate football hierarchy. While the overall trajectory for Nevada appears to be upward, the emphasis remains firmly on securing wins to validate this optimistic outlook, as noted by Yahoo Sports.

Recent Hoops Action and Key Interviews

Beyond the gridiron, the Mountain West basketball season continues to deliver, with scores from last night’s games indicating ongoing competitive play across the league. While specific outcomes were not detailed, the mention of "Hoops scores from last night" highlights the constant activity on the hardwood. In related news, Utah State's MJ Collins Jr. was featured in an interview with Jesse Kurtz. Such interviews often provide valuable insights into player perspectives, team dynamics, and the broader narrative of the basketball season, giving fans a deeper connection to the athletes and their journeys. The season’s progress is also taking place amidst challenging environmental conditions, with wintry weather persisting across significant parts of the Mountain West region, a factor that can sometimes impact travel and game logistics.

Fresno State's Potential Involvement in Tampering Probe

A developing story that could have significant implications involves Fresno State, which has reportedly been linked to a tampering probe involving SEC powerhouses Ole Miss and ACC’s Clemson. The nature and extent of Fresno State's potential involvement were not elaborated upon in the provided summary, but any connection to such a high-profile investigation involving major programs suggests a noteworthy development within the collegiate sports landscape. Tampering allegations often lead to scrutiny and can sometimes result in penalties, making this a situation to monitor closely as more information becomes available. This linkage was briefly highlighted in the recent news aggregation, suggesting an ongoing storyline of interest for the conference and its teams.

Evolving Landscape: Mountain West and the Pac-12 Split

Further emphasizing the transformative period for the Mountain West, today's schedule includes a segment titled "A New Western Order, as we all evolve with the new Mountain West & Pac-12." This directly addresses the significant realignment occurring in college athletics, particularly the dissolution of the traditional Pac-12 Conference. The Mountain West is poised to play a crucial role in forming this "new western order," potentially absorbing teams or seeing its own structure altered as conferences recalibrate their memberships and strategies for the future. This evolution promises to redefine rivalries, revenue streams, and the competitive balance of college sports in the western United States. The anticipation around this shift suggests a period of both uncertainty and opportunity for all programs involved, as outlined in the "On The Horizon" section of the Yahoo Sports report.

Looking Ahead: Softball Previews and Basketball Comparisons

Beyond the immediate headlines, the Mountain West is also preparing for its upcoming softball season, with a specific focus today on "Previewing Mountain West Softball: New Mexico Lobos." This indicates the perennial cycle of collegiate sports, where one season transitions seamlessly into the next, and preparations are always underway. Furthermore, today's insights will include "Stats Corner: Comparing MWC, A10, AAC, and WCC Basketball." This analytical segment provides a valuable cross-conference perspective, allowing fans and analysts to gauge the competitive standing and performance metrics of Mountain West basketball teams against those in other prominent mid-major and regional conferences. Such comparisons often highlight strengths, expose areas for improvement, and contribute to the ongoing narrative of ranking and evaluating collegiate athletic programs.