College football realignment and expansion is back in the news with James Madison departing the Sun Belt for the American Conference. The Dukes will join the American no later than July 1, 2028 and will become the conference’s 15th football member.

As always with any realignment news, there’s plenty of speculation about what’s next or what could be coming with conference changes. With James Madison’s move, the Sun Belt (13 teams) and American (15) have an odd number of programs for football scheduling in the near future.

The Dukes’ decision to move to the American could be the start of some expansion movement in the Group of 6 conferences. Athlon Sports takes a look at where each conference stands on membership and what could be next:

What’s Next in College Football Expansion and Realignment

American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti walks next to the court before the first round American Conference Tournament game between Memphis and Tulane in Birmingham, Ala., on March 11, 2026.© Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti walks next to the court before the first round American Conference Tournament game between Memphis and Tulane in Birmingham, Ala., on March 11, 2026.© Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

American

With the addition of James Madison, the American Conference has an odd number of football programs (15). Also, rumors earlier this season hinted at potential interest by Miami (Ohio) or UConn (football-only) membership.

What’s Next: The ACC has 17 football members, and the MAC has 13, so an uneven number of programs is possible. However, it’s also clunky for scheduling. The American Conference has time to add, but Miami (Ohio), Liberty or some type of football-only membership with UConn make the most sense as a potential 16th team.

Conference USA

Conference USA has been hit hard in recent years by expansion and realignment and more changes could be coming. The league has 10 football members this season but a couple of teams could be targeted as a potential addition to the Sun Belt.

What’s Next: Could CUSA be proactive to lessen the blow of potential departures by approaching Tarleton State about a jump to the FBS level? The Sun Belt could look to Middle Tennessee, FIU or Western Kentucky as a potential replacement for James Madison. Could Liberty also factor into Sun Belt or American Conference expansion?

MAC

Things have been relatively stable in the MAC, but Northern Illinois departed to the Mountain West prior to the ‘26 season. Sacramento State bought its way into the MAC with an $18 million entrance fee to replace the Huskies as the No. 13 member.

What’s Next: The MAC’s stability could be in jeopardy. Toledo, Ohio and Miami (Ohio) have been mentioned as expansion candidates for the American, Mountain West and Sun Belt.

Mountain West

The Mountain West survived a major round of changes with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State leaving to join the Pac-12. Northern Illinois (MAC), UTEP (CUSA) and North Dakota State (moved up from FCS) joined to solidify a 10-team football membership.

What’s Next: After navigating significant membership changes, the Mountain West seems relatively stable with its football lineup. If the finances are there, additions (and not departures) are the most likely scenario. Toledo has been rumored in previous seasons as a potential addition, with UC Davis on the radar as well.

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Pac-12

After essentially a two-year hiatus after the league fell apart after the 2023 season, the Pac-12 returned with eight football members in ‘26.

What’s Next: Scheduling is challenging with eight football members, leaving the conference to try an intriguing flex setup for the final week of the regular season. A ninth football member makes sense at some point. Could the Pac-12 inquire about UNLV’s interest again in the league in the future?

Sun Belt

The Sun Belt must navigate membership changes for the second year in a row. Last season, Louisiana Tech joined to be the No. 14 football program after Texas State left for the Pac-12. And now with James Madison departing, the Sun Belt should look to add another program to get back to 14 teams and even East/West Divisions again.

What’s Next: If the Sun Belt wants to maintain a presence in Virginia, then Liberty makes sense as a potential addition. However, other CUSA programs in Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Delaware or FIU seem more likely. Ohio could be another program that gets a look from the Sun Belt.

What’s Next for the Power Conferences?

We can group the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC into basically one category: Stable for now but things could change in the near future. With the uncertainty surrounding the Protect College Sports Act and potential limitations on membership, along with television deals that stretch a few more years, the landscape for power conferences is quiet…for now.

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Related: James Madison Joins American: What the Move Means for the Dukes

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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports