MTSU football adds Jacksonville State to replace Louisiana Tech on 2026 schedule

MTSU football adds Jacksonville State to replace Louisiana Tech on 2026 schedule

With Louisiana Tech departing Conference USA, Derek Mason and Middle Tennessee State football had to revise the 2026 schedule.

The only change in the Blue Raiders schedule from when it was released in March is that conference school Jacksonville State will replace Louisiana Tech. MTSU will travel to play the Gamecocks on Sept. 26.

Louisiana Tech had announced its plans to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt Conference, a move that was originally supposed to happen in 2027, prior to the league releasing the schedules in March.

But Louisiana Tech wanted to expedite that move to 2026, and the league and the school reached an agreement in late April that allowed for the early departure.

MTSU's 2026 schedule includes six home games, three midweek CUSA contests and a nonconference schedule that is highlighted by a first-time meeting with Kansas.

The season will begin with home games in two of the first three games, including a Sept. 5 opener against former Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State.

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After the road game at Jacksonville State, MTSU will delve back out of league play on Oct. 3 to play at Kansas, the lone power conference team on the schedule. The Jayhawks went 5-7 last season, including 3-6 in the Big 12.

The remainder of games will be conference contests, including consecutive Tuesdays against visiting Kennesaw State, at FIU, and home against New Mexico State.