Overview
- NDSU will join the Mountain West as a football-only member on July 1, 2026, completing its move from the FCS to the FBS.
- The school faces reported up‑front costs of $12.5 million to the Mountain West and $5 million to the NCAA for reclassification.
- North Dakota State and the Mountain West are petitioning the NCAA to lift the two‑year postseason restriction, with ineligibility lasting until 2028 if the waiver is denied.
- Head coach Tim Polasek says the Bison can compete right away, pointing to a decade-plus of FCS dominance and a 9–5 record against FBS opponents.
- Analysts project the Bison as immediate contenders in a reshaped league, and reports note potential future nonconference matchups being explored by programs such as Notre Dame.