North Dakota State football on verge of FCS-altering conference decision

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is nearing a significant transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) by joining the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member. This move, expected to be finalized soon, would mark a major shift for the Bison, a dominant force in FCS with 10 national championships in the past 15 years. The transition involves a substantial entry fee for NDSU, which is becoming a standard requirement for schools advancing to higher conference affiliations.

NDSU's athletic director, Matt Larsen, has expressed a desire for the team to compete at the highest level of Division I football. The Mountain West Conference, having recently lost schools to the new Pac-12, sees this addition as strengthening its football program. Although this development is significant for NDSU, it is unlikely to trigger a widespread FCS to FBS migration due to the unique success and stature of the Bison. The move