​The Palms was buzzing with fresh faces at Mountain West Media Days and the newest ones already talked like they’d been here for years.North Dakota State, UTEP and Northern Illinois all officially step into the league this season, and their player representatives arrived with the kind of confidence usually reserved for returning champions. Whether that confidence survives a full conference slate is another matter, but give the new kids this much. Looking straight into their eyes — they believe.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf any newcomer is built to compete right away, it’s North Dakota State. Offensive guard Griffin Empey, an FCS All-American and part of a national championship pedigree in Fargo, carried himself like the moment was overdue rather than oversized.Asked about the writers’ chatter that the Bison could contend immediately, Empey didn’t run from it. “I think it’s something we can grow into,” said Empey. “We want to be the greatest version of ourselves every day and be talking about a championship at the end of the year.”Even the grind of nine-hour trips and new travel logistics drew a shrug. “It is what it is. It’s going to be what it is,” said Empey.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEmpey was more animated about the Fargodome, noting the sellout streak and what awaits visitors. “When they come to Fargo, from the administration all the way down to the players, they’re going to be really, really put to it.”That’s not bravado. That’s a program with receipts.NDSU QB Nathan Hayes, 2026 MW Media DaysUTEP linebacker Jayden Wilson brought El Paso with him. “I feel our city growing behind this,” Wilson said on the MW move. “It’s a new change. Change of scenery, change of everything. It’s a top G5 conference in America, so we’re super excited to come in and be able to compete.”On the booster front, Wilson didn’t hesitate. “It’s unconditional. They love us and they support us no matter what. Every donor I talk to, that’s all they talk about.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe also flagged the schedule shift that matters most in the Borderland. “Losing New Mexico State but bringing on the New Mexico Lobos, it’s a big deal for us.”Northern Illinois receiver DeAree Rogers and cornerback Liam Lindo split the difference between swagger and self-awareness. Rogers framed the move as opportunity with stakes attached. “This conference is now the top Group of Six conference,” he said. “Each year a team from this conference is going to go to the College Football Playoff, so we have to take this as a serious opportunity.”The Huskies aren’t reinventing anything either. “Our game plan is our game plan,” Rogers said. “We might change what we do, but we’re never going to change who we are. We establish the run game first.” Lindo backed it up while acknowledging the leap. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy,” he said, before Rogers added the fans