The latest FCS-to-FBS transition is here as North Dakota State announced it would be leaving the Football Championship Subdivision for the Football Bowl Subdivision, joining the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member in 2026.
The move was long-awaited by some, but newsworthy nonetheless. Here's what you need to know about NDSU's move to FBS.
When does NDSU begin FBS play?
NDSU officially becomes a member of the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 2026. The Bison will play against eight Mountain West opponents in conference, plus four nonconference games.
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How does NDSU fit into the Mountain West?
NDSU is now one of 10 football-playing teams in the Mountain West Conference. The Bison are the the farthest north team and the second-farthest east team in the conference.
2026 Mountain West teams
- Air Force
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota State
- Northern Illinois
- San Jose State
- UNLV
- UTEP
- Wyoming
WINNERS: Ranking every North Dakota State FCS championship team
Can NDSU win a national championship at the FBS level?
NDSU can win a national championship in the FBS. Yet, Bison won't be eligible for a title in the Mountain West or College Football Playoff until 2028 after a two-year transition period. However, NDSU could still be selected for a bowl game if there are not enough bowl-eligible teams.
🏆: A complete history of North Dakota State championships
What conference is NDSU in for other sports?
NDSU plays every other sport outside of wrestling and football in the Summit League. Football is in the Mountain West and wrestling is in the Big 12.
ALL-TIME GREATS: We picked the top-5 players all-time for North Dakota State football
How many FCS titles does NDSU have?
North Dakota State has won 10 FCS football championships, all since 2011. That's good enough to put the Bison four titles ahead of the next closest program for most all-time FCS national championships.
NDSU five-peated from 2011-15 and three-peated from 2017-19. The Bison have a 10-1 title game record all-time as its 11 championship game appearances are the most in FCS history.
The Bison won its titles under four different coaches: Craig Bohl (2011-13), Chris Klieman (2014-15, 2017-18), Matt Entz (2019, 2021) and Tim Polasek (2024).
In addition to the 10 FCS titles, NDSU has won a share of 12 MVFC championships. Before moving to the FCS level in 2004, the Bison won eight national titles at the Division II level.
FCS HISTORY: Schools with the most FCS titles | 9 winningest FCS programs all time | Championship history
How many times has NDSU beaten an FBS opponent?
North Dakota State has beaten an FBS opponent nine times since joining the FCS in 2004. NDSU also has one of six ranked FCS-over-FBS wins. The Bison defeated then-No. 13 Iowa in 2016 23-21. Overall, the Bison are 9-5 all-time against FBS opponents.
FCS-OVER-FBS: See every FCS-over-FBS upset all-time
How many awards have NDSU players won?
NDSU won four of the major FCS player award given out by STATS Perform. Quarterback Trey Lance won the 2019 Walter Payton Award and Jerry Rice Award. Defensive end Kyle Emanuel won the 2015 Buck Buchanan Award. Running back CharMar Brown won the 2024 Jerry Rice Award.
FCS AWARDS: Walter Payton Award history | Buck Buchanan Award history | Jerry Rice Award history
How many NFL draft picks has NDSU had?
Since joining the FCS in 2004, NDSU has had 16 NFL draft picks. The Bison have had three first round draft picks since 2016. Quarterback Carson Wentz went No. 2 in 2016, quarterback Trey Lance went No. 3 in 2021 and offensive lineman Grey Zabel went No. 18 in 2025.
| DRAFT YEAR | PLAYER | ROUND | PICK | POSITION | NFL TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Robert Hunt | 5 | 165 | C | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2008 | Joe Mays | 6 | 200 | LB | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2009 | Nicholas Schommer | 7 | 242 | DB | Tennessee Titans |
| 2014 | Billy Turner | 3 | 67 | OT | Miami Dolphins |
| 2015 | Kyle Emanuel | 5 | 153 | LB | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2016 | Carson Wentz | 1 | 2 | QB | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2016 | Joe Haeg | 5 | 155 | OT | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2019 | Easton Stick | 5 | 166 | QB | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2020 | Derek Tuszka | 7 | 254 | DE | Denver Broncos |
| 2021 | Trey Lance | 1 | 3 | QB | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2021 | Dillon Radunz | 2 | 53 | OT | Tennessee Titans |
| 2022 | Christian Watson | 2 | 34 | WR | Green Bay Packers |
| 2022 | Cordell Volson | 4 | 136 | OL | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2023 | Cody Mauch | 2 | 48 | OL | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2025 | Grey Zabel | 1 | 18 | OL | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2025 | Cam Miller | 6 | 215 | QB | Oakland Raiders |
CAREER IN REVIEW: Carson Wentz | Trey Lance | Christian Watson
How many undefeated FCS seasons does NDSU have?
NDSU has gone undefeated three times in the following seasons: 2013, 2018, 2019. When the Bison went 16-0 in 2019, it became the first team since Yale in 1894 to reach that mark.
NDSU owns the two longest win streaks in FCS history, winning a record 39 straight games from 2017-21 and winning 33 straight from 2012-14.
DAKOTA MARKER: Memorable moments, all-time history of NDSU vs. SDSU
Has NDSU ever been ranked in the FBS polls?
NDSU is one of two teams in FCS history to ever receive votes in an FBS poll. The Bison received votes across seven different seasons in the AP Poll. NDSU was ranked No. 27 in the Sept. 18, 2016 AP Poll, the highest of any FCS team in history. The Bison received 74 votes in the poll after upsetting then-No. 13 Iowa.
| Team | Points | Year | Week | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2025 | 15 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 2 | 2019 | 15 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2019 | 14 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2019 | 13 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2019 | 12 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2019 | 11 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2019 | 10 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2019 | 9 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 36 | 2016 | 6 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 46 | 2016 | 5 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 58 | 2016 | 4 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 74 | 2016 | 3 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 4 | 2014 | 10 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 9 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 8 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 7 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 6 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 5 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 4 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 3 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 3 | 2014 | 2 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 2 | 2014 | 1 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 17 | 2013 | Final | RV |
| North Dakota State | 4 | 2013 | 15 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2013 | 14 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2013 | 13 | RV |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 2012 | Final | RV |
| North Dakota State | 2 | 2011 | Final | RV |
| Appalachian State | 5 | 2007 | Final | RV |
| Appalachian State | 5 | 2007 | 3 | RV |
| Appalachian State | 19 | 2007 | 2 | RV |
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