Northern Illinois says it has not received a "formal offer to consider a change" in its conference, but appreciates the "interest in our strong brand" amid media reports that the school and fellow Mid-American Conference member Toledo are being targeted by the Mountain West.

With several of its members departing for the Pac-12, the Mountain West Conference is eyeing a pair of teams from the Mid-American Conference. Per

NIU and Toledo, long rivals on the football field in the MAC, would be travel partners for the Western-based MWC.