LAS VEGAS — North Dakota State’s entry into the Mountain West is forcing coaches around the league to rethink prep and game plans ahead of the 2026 season. The Bison arrive with a recent resume few programs at any level can match: a run of championships and winning margins that drew the Mountain West’s attention and a reputation for disciplined, physical football.
Coaches caution: the Bison pose unique challenges
At Mountain West Media Days, NDSU safety Darius Givance listed the specific difficulties he expects opponents will face when the Bison open conference play at Air Force. He pointed to the grind of defending rarer offensive schemes, the constant risk of breakdowns that lead to big plays, and the challenge of preparing for what opponents actually run on game day.
“And, you know, we can’t wait. That’s kind of the mentality we have here at NDSU. Put our back on the wall and start swinging.”
UNLV coach Dan Mullen, who has worked in the SEC, said his previous programs were wary of scheduling the Bison. He recalled conferences and schools avoiding NDSU rather than seeking the matchup, an attitude that underscores the respect the program commands.
“Nope. No, I don’t. We’ll pass on them.”
Why the move matters
North Dakota State’s success at the FCS level is remarkable: multiple national titles and dominant season statistics helped open the door to FBS conference membership. In 2025 the team averaged a lopsided point differential, and over the past decade-and-a-half the Bison compiled a record that illustrates long-term superiority against FCS peers.
- Ten national championships at the FCS level since 2011
- 198-22 record over the previous 15 seasons
- Average 2025 scoring margin of 41-13 per game
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| FCS national titles (since 2011) | 10 |
| Record over past 15 seasons | 198-22 |
| 2025 scoring average | 41-13 |
The Bison already have tangible success against FBS opponents, winning several of those matchups and keeping others extremely close. That history gives coaches in the Mountain West reason to prepare thoroughly and to respect a program that has proven it can compete above its former classification.
League reactions, tactical implications
Coaches around the conference say the practical impact will be in game planning and personnel discipline: defending the triple option, adjusting to a power running attack, and staying alert for the occasional pass that can flip a game. The arrival of NDSU also reinforces a broader trend of mobility across college football levels — programs with sustained success at lower divisions are drawing interest from higher-tier conferences.
For South Dakota fans, the move means more high-profile conference games featuring the Bison, and a renewed spotlight on a program that has been a statewide touchstone for nearly two decades. The Mountain West’s upcoming schedules and how other teams adapt will show whether the Bison’s success translates immediately at the FBS level or whether it sparks a transitional season of adjustments for both NDSU and its new conference rivals.
Coverage from Mountain West Media Days makes clear that opponents expect a difficult opponent and that NDSU players are eager to prove themselves on a bigger stage. The season opener at Air Force will be an early test of whether that eagerness and preparation match the challenge on the field.
