Bison to Join Mountain West as Football-Only Member in 2026
The Mountain West Conference announced that North Dakota State University will join as a football-only member beginning July 1, 2026, with a two-year transition during which NDSU will be ineligible for the MW Championship Game and postseason until 2028. The move aims to raise the conference's football profile, with NDSU's FCS program having won 10 of the last 15 national titles and maintaining strong national exposure. NDSU will play a full MW schedule in 2026 but cannot compete for the conference title or bowls until 2028, while the MW finalizes its new membership model that includes all-sport and affiliate members.