The Bison Stampede to FBS: North Dakota State Set for Mountain West Move

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The long-awaited leap for the most dominant dynasty in FCS history is finally happening. As of Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, multiple reports—including those from Yahoo Sports and local Mountain West sources—confirm that North Dakota State (NDSU) is in the final stages of a deal to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member.

An official announcement is expected as early as this weekend, marking a tectonic shift in the college football landscape and the culmination of NDSU’s decade-long quest for an FBS home.

The Deal at a Glance

The move is a strategic “football-only” partnership that allows NDSU to maintain its regional identity in other sports while elevating its football program to the highest level.

Membership Status: Football-only member starting in the 2026 season.

Olympic Sports: Likely to remain in the Summit League to minimize travel costs for non-revenue sports.

The Entrance Fee: NDSU will pay a mandatory $5 million NCAA fee to transition to FBS. Additionally, the Mountain West is reportedly negotiating an “eight-figure” entrance fee (estimated between $10M–$15M) to be paid over several years.

Why Now? The Realignment Catalyst

The “new-look” Mountain West needed NDSU just as much as NDSU needed the invite. Following the departure of five cornerstone programs (Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and Utah State) to the reimagined Pac-12, the Mountain West was forced to rebuild.

By adding NDSU, the conference secures:

A National Brand: 10 FCS National Championships in the last 15 seasons.
Built-in Competitiveness: NDSU currently holds a 9-5 all-time record against FBS teams, including wins over No. 13 Iowa, Kansas State, and Iowa State.
A 10-Team Roster: NDSU becomes the 10th football-playing member for 2026, joining fellow newcomer Northern Illinois (football-only) and full members like UNLV, Wyoming, and Air Force.

The Transition Timeline & Constraints

Moving from FCS to FBS isn’t instantaneous. Per NCAA rules, the “Bison” will face a multi-year transition period:

2026–2027: First seasons as an FBS/Mountain West member.

Postseason Eligibility: Under current NCAA transition rules, NDSU will not be eligible for a bowl game or the Mountain West Championship until 2028.

Scholarship Increase: The program must increase its football scholarships from the FCS limit of 63 to the FBS limit of 85.

The Fargodome Factor

One of the major hurdles for NDSU has always been its facility. While the Fargodome is legendary for its noise (the “Bison Thunder”), its capacity of 18,700 is small by FBS standards. However, the school’s recent $54 million investment in a world-class performance complex and consistent sellout crowds convinced Mountain West presidents that the program’s infrastructure is “Group of 5 ready.”

What They’re Saying

“I would say in terms of our position… myself and President Cook, we want to play at the highest level. The things we’ve done over the last decade have positioned us to be able to do that.” — Matt Larsen, NDSU Athletic Director (January 2026)