In a move that’s shaking up the college football landscape, Sacramento State is making the leap from the FCS to the FBS, joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a football-only member. This transition, set to kick off in the upcoming season, comes with an $18 million entrance fee, marking a significant investment in the program's future.
This addition to the MAC follows the recent announcement of North Dakota State's similar move, although Sacramento State's transition is flying a bit more under the radar. The Hornets will be stepping in to replace Northern Illinois, which is heading to the restructured Mountain West in 2026.
For Sacramento State, this move to the FBS boosts the total number of teams to 138. While North Dakota State is expected to hit the ground running in their new setting, the outlook for Sacramento State is a bit more reserved. Despite a student body size that rivals many FBS institutions, their performance in the FCS hasn’t mirrored the dominance of the Bison.
The Hornets enjoyed a successful period under Troy Taylor from 2019 to 2022, posting a 30-8 record, clinching conference titles, and making playoff appearances. However, following Taylor’s departure to Stanford, the team faced challenges, with subsequent head coaches unable to push past the eight-win mark.
Now, the task of guiding Sacramento State through this transition falls to Alonzo Carter. As the new head coach, Carter faces the dual challenge of meeting heightened expectations and building on last season’s 7-5 record.
The question remains: can Sacramento State find their footing and compete effectively as FBS newcomers? The upcoming season will be telling, as they navigate this new chapter in their football journey.