The Bison Departure: Analyzing the Fallout in the MVFC and FCS

Read Time:2 Minute, 48 Second

The long-rumored move of North Dakota State (NDSU) to the Mountain West Conference, reportedly finalized this weekend, February 7–8, 2026, is a “seismic event” for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). By moving to the FBS as a football-only member, NDSU effectively ends one of the most dominant runs in college sports history while leaving its peers with a difficult question: Who’s next?

Impact on the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)

The MVFC has long been considered the “SEC of the FCS,” largely due to the dominance of the Bison. Their departure creates an immediate power vacuum and logistical headache:

The Loss of a Powerhouse: NDSU brought national television eyes and prestige to the conference. Without them, the MVFC loses its primary “measuring stick” and its most bankable brand for media rights negotiations.
Scheduling Chaos: The conference must now scramble to adjust 2026 schedules. Reports suggest the league may move toward a full round-robin format for its remaining nine members or aggressively pursue a replacement.
The “St. Thomas” Factor: Speculation is already mounting that the St. Thomas (MN) Tommies, currently in the non-scholarship Pioneer League, could be the primary target to fill the vacancy, though they would need to transition to the full 63-scholarship model.
A New Frontrunner: The path to the conference title now goes through Brookings, SD. South Dakota State (SDSU) becomes the undisputed “big fish” in the MVFC pond.

South Dakota State: The Next Domino?

For years, the “XDSU” schools (NDSU and SDSU) have been linked. However, the move to the Mountain West appears to be NDSU-only for now.

The Official Stance: SDSU Athletic Director Justin Sell has maintained that the school is “constantly evaluating” its position, but as of today, there is no confirmed offer from an FBS conference.
The Incentive: Many insiders believe SDSU is “FBS-ready” in terms of facilities (Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium) and competitiveness. If the Mountain West decides they need an 11th or 12th member to balance the league after losing teams to the Pac-12, SDSU is widely considered the first call they would make.

The Montana Paradox: Griz and Cats

Unlike the Dakota schools, the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats are famously “joined at the hip.”

Package Deal: The Montana Board of Regents has historically made it clear that any conference move would involve both schools. This makes an FBS move more complicated, as a conference would need to have two open slots and the appetite for two programs from a low-population state.
The Coaching Vacuum: The landscape shifted yesterday with the shocking announcement that legendary Montana head coach Bobby Hauck is retiring. With the face of the program stepping down, a jump to the FBS in the immediate 2026 window seems less likely as the Griz enter a rebuilding phase.
Sacramento State’s Push: Interestingly, it is Sacramento State—not Montana—that is currently making the most aggressive “secondary” push for the FBS. Reports indicate they have offered an eight-figure entry fee to the MAC or Mountain West to join as a football-only member.

📋 Comparison of Potential “Call-Ups.”

Program	Readiness	Main Hurdle	Status
South Dakota St.	High	Awaiting invite/Conference fit	Staying in MVFC (for now)
Montana	Medium	“Package deal” with MT State	Coaching transition (Hauck)
Sacramento St.	High	Negotiating entry fees	Actively bidding for FBS