North Dakota State Is Headed to the Mountain West - And They’re Not Just There to Participate
After years of dominating the FCS landscape, North Dakota State is finally making the leap. Starting in 2026, the Bison will join the Mountain West Conference in football only - a move that’s been a long time coming and one that could shake up the Group of Five picture in a big way.
This isn’t just a symbolic step up. It’s a financial commitment, too.
North Dakota State is shelling out $12.5 million to enter the Mountain West, with $7 million of that front-loaded in the first year of the six-year payment plan. On top of that, they’ll pay the NCAA $5 million for the jump to the FBS level.
That’s a significant investment, but for a program with championship pedigree and long-term vision, it’s a calculated one.
Let’s be clear - this isn’t your average FCS-to-FBS transition. North Dakota State isn’t just moving up; they’re aiming to make noise right away.
The Bison have been a juggernaut for the better part of two decades, winning 10 of the last 15 national titles at the FCS level. They’ve built a reputation as the team nobody wants to schedule - and now, FBS programs in the Mountain West won’t have a choice.
Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez didn’t hold back in her praise for the new addition: “The Bison bring a championship mindset and a bold vision for growth that aligns with the unwavering commitment to the excellence of the Mountain West,” she said. That kind of endorsement speaks volumes - not just about what NDSU has done, but what the conference believes it can become.
There’s a catch, though. North Dakota State won’t be eligible for the postseason until 2028, due to NCAA transition rules. So, while dreams of a College Football Playoff Cinderella run may have to wait, the Bison will still have a chance to play spoiler in the regular season - and potentially force the national conversation to take notice.
This move also comes at a pivotal time for the Mountain West. The league has taken some hits lately, losing Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State to the Pac-12.
That’s a lot of tradition and talent walking out the door. But adding a program like NDSU helps restock the cupboard with a brand that’s built to win - and built to last.
The question now turns to how quickly the Bison can adjust. Can they recruit at an FBS level?
Can they hold their own in the trenches against bigger, faster teams week in and week out? According to interim university president Rick Berg, they’re more than ready.
“One of the concerns was, ‘Will NDSU be competitive?’” Berg said.
“I think we will. Unlike others, we've been preparing for this moment for years and years, and I think they're going to be surprised when NDSU hits the Mountain West.”
It’s hard to argue with that level of confidence - especially from a program that’s proven time and again it belongs in the national conversation. This move isn’t just about geography or finances.
It’s about ambition. And if history is any indication, the Bison aren’t coming to the Mountain West to blend in.
They’re coming to raise the bar.