What Happens if the Bison Go FBS? Inside the Potential NCAAF Power Shift
North Dakota State’s athletic department is officially exploring what could be the most significant transition in its modern football history: a move from the FCS ranks to the FBS level. The conversation, which includes feasibility studies, NCAA clearance considerations, and conference alignment evaluations, comes at a time when the national college football scene is rapidly reforming itself. For a program as decorated and respected as NDSU, the idea of making this transition has appeared before, but this is the first time internal chatter has indicated an active strategy rather than theory and assumptions. If approved, the Bison would be required to pay a substantial FBS transition fee, upgrade financial commitments, and meet NCAA membership benchmarks. Even so, the move signals ambition aligned with a decade of dominance.
A Dynasty Built in the FCS Era
Over the past twelve years, North Dakota State has built an FCS dynasty unlike anything college football has witnessed in the modern era. The Bison have claimed multiple national championships, produced NFL starters, and filled the Fargodome with a fanbase that behaves more like a Power Five crowd than a Football Championship Subdivision one. Stepping into the Football Bowl Subdivision would create a brand-new competitive reality, but it would also elevate the program’s national visibility. Increased TV rights, attendance potential, and recruiting reach are among the major factors driving this exploration. For many around the program, the question is not whether NDSU is ready for FBS play, but rather which conference is willing to open its doors.
Potential Ripple Effects Across College Football
A transition to the FBS could also rewrite chapters of the college football ecosystem. Adding a historic winner like NDSU to the Group of Five tier could raise the competitive floor for whichever league absorbs them. It may also push current mid-major programs to strengthen recruiting pipelines and facilities to keep pace with a rising newcomer. On the fan side, the narratives and scenarios would be irresistible: a former FCS powerhouse challenging itself against larger brands, bigger markets, and deeper rosters week after week. This move would generate nationwide intrigue, postseason implications, and an opportunity to further diversify the competitive scenery. It’s a shift that could boom beyond Fargo.
Funding, Investors, and the Business Behind the Move
Funding and investor interest are also central pieces of the conversation. NDSU already attracts strong regional support, but an FBS climb opens doors for larger partnerships, expanded donor contributions, stadium enhancement projects, and increased corporate sponsorship. Local businesses in North Dakota have long benefited from the program’s success, and an elevation to FBS would only amplify those economic and branding opportunities. National brands looking to break into the Midwest market may also take a second look at a program with proven championship DNA. These financial boosts are essential not just for the entry fee but for sustaining long-term FBS competitiveness.
What’s Next for NDSU in the Coming Years
Looking ahead to the next one to two years, the most intriguing plot will be how NDSU manages this transitional phase, should the NCAA officially approve the move. Fans can expect deeper recruiting classes, more aggressive scheduling, and strategic investments in sports performance resources. The program's culture of discipline and player development has always been its backbone, and scaling that identity into the FBS position will be the true assessment. What excites many followers is the potential for NDSU to not only survive the jump but eventually thrive, just as Appalachian State and James Madison did before them. If all goes according to plan, the Bison could soon stampede into an entirely new era of college football relevance.
