FBS Frequently Asked Questions

North Dakota State University (NDSU) will join the Mountain West Conference starting July 1, 2026. The Bison will commence FBS play in the fall of 2026, participating in an eight-game Mountain West schedule alongside four non-conference games. The conference will feature 10 football teams, including Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP, and Wyoming.

During a two-year transition period, NDSU will be ineligible for the Mountain West Football Championship Game, College Football Playoff, or bowl games until 2028, unless there are not enough bowl-eligible teams nationally. The Mountain West Conference has access to the College Football Playoff, with the highest-ranked team from the Group of 6 conferences securing an automatic bid to the 12-team playoff in 2026.

Season ticket prices will remain unchanged for the 2026 season, and NDSU students will continue to receive