10 things to know about North Dakota State's move to the FBS

North Dakota State University (NDSU) will transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a football-only member of the Mountain West Conference starting in 2026. This move marks a significant step for NDSU, which has been a dominant force in FCS, winning 10 national championships since 2011. The Bison will officially join the Mountain West on July 1, 2026, and will compete against eight conference opponents and participate in four nonconference games each season.

NDSU's transition includes a two-year period during which the team will not be eligible for the Mountain West title or the College Football Playoff until 2028. However, they may still qualify for bowl games if there are insufficient bowl-eligible teams. NDSU will continue to participate in the Summit League for most sports and the Big 12 for wrestling.

Historically, NDSU has been successful against FBS teams