Sources: North Dakota State in serious discussions to join Mountain West as football-only member

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is in advanced discussions with the Mountain West Conference to join as a football-only member, with a deal potentially finalizing by the weekend. This move would transition NDSU from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). NDSU is expected to pay a significant entry fee, a common requirement for schools seeking FBS conference affiliations.

If the agreement proceeds, NDSU will become the tenth football-playing member of the Mountain West in 2026, joining schools such as Air Force, UNLV, and New Mexico, among others. NDSU has been a dominant force in FCS, securing 10 national championships in the past 15 years and maintaining a 90% win rate since 2011.

The Mountain West Conference recently approved an invitation for NDSU, with negotiations ongoing regarding the entrance fee, which could reach eight figures. Additionally, NDSU would need to pay