Overview
- Mountain West presidents have agreed in principle to invite North Dakota State for football-only membership, with a deal possible this weekend as entry-fee negotiations wrap up.
- The contemplated move would begin in 2026 for football, and NDSU’s other sports are expected to remain in the Summit League pending final approval.
- NDSU would owe a substantial conference entry payment in addition to the NCAA’s $5 million fee required to transition from FCS to FBS.
- With NDSU and Northern Illinois as football-only members, the conference projects 10 football programs in 2026 as Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State depart for the Pac-12.
- A two-year FBS transition would leave NDSU ineligible for the College Football Playoff and standard bowl slots in 2026 and 2027, while the Mountain West operates under a new media-rights deal and ongoing realignment litigation.