Lifetime Bison fan here, there is a clear desire to go FBS in the fan base and in the administration, but you are correct, there is no slam dunk geographic conference that wants us which is the only reason NDSU ain’t FBS. MWC calls NDSU tomorrow, NDSU screams yes before the question is even done being asked
Sounds like a cool program at NDSU. I think they may go MWC, as I expect the rebuilding PAC will pluck the top 4-6 schools, and if the MWC wants to keep a conference alive they will need to look at the NDSU, SDSU, Idaho, Montana, Montana State, and New Mexico States to backfill.
I agree with all your points. I also feel that FBS currently only having four playoff spots also contributes to NDSU to not wanting to make the move. If FBS had a 24 or the 12 team playoff that’s coming in 2026 it could make it more intriguing for NDSU to move since there’s more benefit to move up. More brand recognition and more money if they can find themselves in the playoffs which frankly would not happen now only having 4 teams make it
As a former player, I wouldn’t necessarily say that NDSU “doesn’t want” to move to FBS. I believe we would need an invite from a conference to do it so “can’t” may be more accurate. The vibe from people around the program seems to be that many/most would like to make the move if possible. I think the hurdles to moving up that you discussed are very valid and are probably the reason why it hasn’t happened yet. Geography seems to be a big factor. The school is located in a good location for both the big 10 and big 12 but obviously a jump directly to one of those conferences is impossible. Recently, I have felt like NDSU and SDSU packaged together could be a fairly appealing (football) addition to a lot of the conferences during this crazy realignment period. Unfortunately doesn’t seem to be enticing the conferences enough 😅. Would be super stoked to see the bison in FBS!
Thank you so much for your comment as well as your perspective. I really appreciate it! My college, Lafayette, played against NDSU years ago in the first national championship run in the 2010s. So I never forgot about you since.
We definitely miss you playing for the Bison. You said it perfectly. Geography and money are holding them back from the move to FBS. The lack of funds from donors doesn't match the large schools. Lastly, the transfer portal has put a large dent into the football program and will most likely continue to do so.
I’m from the Fargo area, NDSU is considering adding on to there stadium so more fans can see the Bison football team. Your right I don’t think there moving up anytime soon.
Even if NDSU wanted to make the move to FBS, there are a few things preventing them from moving up. Money, bigger stadium, invite from the right conference etc...
They actually have the revenue, and they have the Stadium size. Only need a 15k seat Stadium and an average of 14k per game to go FBS. The Fargodome fits 19k-24k seats and they average a sold out Stadium all season every season. They just simply don't want to go to the FBS level.
@205rlg6 I heard they don't have the athletic budget for further travel, higher coach salaries, more scholarships for teams and they woukd need more money to add more women's sports. I also heard they need a minimum of 30,000 seat stadium but maybe that's for power 5 conferences? Idk
@@paidtourist6563 that's what you heard. U can clearly search the NCAA and see the requirements. NDSU literally checks all that is needed. They would probably travel less going FBS since they would more than likely join the MAC or the MWC. There's over 30 teams in the FBS with less than 20k seat stadiums and there's plans to expand the FargoDome from 19k seats to 22k-25k permanent seats. They just don't want to lose their name and dominance going to the FBS.
Very few FCS teams have made the jump to FBS and have had continued success. Boise State to name one. Most go to smaller conferences like the Sun Belt. Idaho moved up and eventually returned to FCS and the Big Sky. Montana had success in the 2000’s and was entertaining moving up. However, smarter people prevailed. Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or a little fish in a big pond.
Since I started subscribing to ESPN+ I have been watching almost exclusively FCS football and I actually like it better than FBS football. I think it's a better brand without all the glitz and glamour that goes with FBS football.
As far as distance goes, it is really not an issue. Youngstown State is already over a 1000 Miles away. We would be closer than Hawaii is too. MW or American would the conferences they would go to. Anything else, they will most likely stay in FCS.
Since the portal and crazy NIL deals last couple years have hurt NDSU more then any other FCS school as FBS are scouting and trying to and sometimes exceeding in poaching some of their top players
While most of your points are very true, you missed a couple things going for NDSU. First off, something you didn’t explicitly say, but implied, is that NDSU would benefit wildly to a Football-only FBS invite. It is cost effective for their basketball teams and non revenue sports to stay in the Summit. And while the Summit is definitely a mid-major conference, NDSU actually has done quite well recently in the sports they play. Men’s basketball has appeared in the conference title game each of the last five seasons. Men’s and women’s track and field has only lost three total outdoor titles since entering the Summit, indoor isn’t as impressive but they typically finish in the top 3 of the league every season. Softball has faltered lately, but prior to 2020 the team had only missed the NCAA tourney once in 11 seasons. Even the baseball team has picked it up lately and just hosted their first league tournament. Women’s basketball is really the only blemish on the record. Even women’s soccer and volleyball have had several good years since entering Division I. On top of this, NDSU now has a dedicated indoor (and necessary outdoor) facility for every sport they play, as well as a brand new privately funded indoor football facility. This prepares them for any potential move. That move though is solely dependent on a conference invite, as you mentioned: FBS independent is not an option.
Good NDSU! Stay in the FCS! Too many teams have left the FCS and there are too many silly FBS bowl games. I would like to see every team that has left the FCS in the past 10 years moved back there.
I’ve watched the ndsu bison from afar. They are good. They need to be in the big 12 from a competitive standpoint. Forget the mountain west, ndsu is simply better than the mwc. The ndsu is a p5 team playing in fcs, yes, they are that good.
Its not that they dont want to, but its a matter of what they will lose by jumping up. When they moved to FCS from D2 no one in their state was making the same jump so they found a new rivalry with SDSU. If they make this jump again to FBS they are leaving behind so much more than what they gain.
Without SDSU, NDSU has no reason. NDSUs athletic director has thanked SDSU for making the leap at the same time as it has lead to massive success for both teams.
EXACTLY! I would rather watch the Bison play for another FCS Championship vs (maybe) playing in some sh*tty LOW tier Bowl Game with VERY few fans in the stands. Plus (as others have stated) where are the $$ going to come from? Attendance the last 2 years is down too! Not always greener grass on the other side of the field. Stay put NDSU!!
Because of scholarship ratios of men versus women in sports, even if North Dakota state wanted to move up, they cannot. They do not have the required number or ratio of scholarship female athletes versus scholarship male athletes.
adding the additional 22 football scholarships for FBS membership would require adding scholarships for women as well. Currently NDSU fully funds all there teams (Men's and Womens,) to scholarship limits including FCOA. Adding 22 womens scholarships is not a huge issue, though it may require adding another womens sport.
well, i've only watched 2 minutes of your video. First, if they went to the MW their farthest opponent would be in hawaii, their nearest would be in laramie. unpausing
Lifetime Bison fan here, there is a clear desire to go FBS in the fan base and in the administration, but you are correct, there is no slam dunk geographic conference that wants us which is the only reason NDSU ain’t FBS. MWC calls NDSU tomorrow, NDSU screams yes before the question is even done being asked
Sounds like a cool program at NDSU. I think they may go MWC, as I expect the rebuilding PAC will pluck the top 4-6 schools, and if the MWC wants to keep a conference alive they will need to look at the NDSU, SDSU, Idaho, Montana, Montana State, and New Mexico States to backfill.
I agree with all your points. I also feel that FBS currently only having four playoff spots also contributes to NDSU to not wanting to make the move.
If FBS had a 24 or the 12 team playoff that’s coming in 2026 it could make it more intriguing for NDSU to move since there’s more benefit to move up. More brand recognition and more money if they can find themselves in the playoffs which frankly would not happen now only having 4 teams make it
Fyi 12 team playoff is coming in 2024.
Can’t even beat UND or SDSU
As a former player, I wouldn’t necessarily say that NDSU “doesn’t want” to move to FBS. I believe we would need an invite from a conference to do it so “can’t” may be more accurate. The vibe from people around the program seems to be that many/most would like to make the move if possible. I think the hurdles to moving up that you discussed are very valid and are probably the reason why it hasn’t happened yet. Geography seems to be a big factor. The school is located in a good location for both the big 10 and big 12 but obviously a jump directly to one of those conferences is impossible. Recently, I have felt like NDSU and SDSU packaged together could be a fairly appealing (football) addition to a lot of the conferences during this crazy realignment period. Unfortunately doesn’t seem to be enticing the conferences enough 😅. Would be super stoked to see the bison in FBS!
Thank you so much for your comment as well as your perspective. I really appreciate it! My college, Lafayette, played against NDSU years ago in the first national championship run in the 2010s. So I never forgot about you since.
We definitely miss you playing for the Bison. You said it perfectly. Geography and money are holding them back from the move to FBS. The lack of funds from donors doesn't match the large schools. Lastly, the transfer portal has put a large dent into the football program and will most likely continue to do so.
You sir, are absolutely correct. To say NDSU "doesn't want" to join is a very misleading title, or clickbait just to get more views.
I’m from the Fargo area, NDSU is considering adding on to there stadium so more fans can see the Bison football team. Your right I don’t think there moving up anytime soon.
Even if NDSU wanted to make the move to FBS, there are a few things preventing them from moving up. Money, bigger stadium, invite from the right conference etc...
They actually have the revenue, and they have the Stadium size. Only need a 15k seat Stadium and an average of 14k per game to go FBS. The Fargodome fits 19k-24k seats and they average a sold out Stadium all season every season. They just simply don't want to go to the FBS level.
@205rlg6 I heard they don't have the athletic budget for further travel, higher coach salaries, more scholarships for teams and they woukd need more money to add more women's sports.
I also heard they need a minimum of 30,000 seat stadium but maybe that's for power 5 conferences? Idk
@@paidtourist6563 that's what you heard. U can clearly search the NCAA and see the requirements. NDSU literally checks all that is needed. They would probably travel less going FBS since they would more than likely join the MAC or the MWC. There's over 30 teams in the FBS with less than 20k seat stadiums and there's plans to expand the FargoDome from 19k seats to 22k-25k permanent seats. They just don't want to lose their name and dominance going to the FBS.
I'm subscriber #44 , i'm rooting for your channel to blow up
Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it!
Very few FCS teams have made the jump to FBS and have had continued success. Boise State to name one. Most go to smaller conferences like the Sun Belt. Idaho moved up and eventually returned to FCS and the Big Sky. Montana had success in the 2000’s and was entertaining moving up. However, smarter people prevailed. Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or a little fish in a big pond.
Since I started subscribing to ESPN+ I have been watching almost exclusively FCS football and I actually like it better than FBS football. I think it's a better brand without all the glitz and glamour that goes with FBS football.
Give me whatever you smoking 🚬
As far as distance goes, it is really not an issue. Youngstown State is already over a 1000 Miles away. We would be closer than Hawaii is too. MW or American would the conferences they would go to. Anything else, they will most likely stay in FCS.
Since the portal and crazy NIL deals last couple years have hurt NDSU more then any other FCS school as FBS are scouting and trying to and sometimes exceeding in poaching some of their top players
While most of your points are very true, you missed a couple things going for NDSU. First off, something you didn’t explicitly say, but implied, is that NDSU would benefit wildly to a Football-only FBS invite. It is cost effective for their basketball teams and non revenue sports to stay in the Summit. And while the Summit is definitely a mid-major conference, NDSU actually has done quite well recently in the sports they play. Men’s basketball has appeared in the conference title game each of the last five seasons. Men’s and women’s track and field has only lost three total outdoor titles since entering the Summit, indoor isn’t as impressive but they typically finish in the top 3 of the league every season. Softball has faltered lately, but prior to 2020 the team had only missed the NCAA tourney once in 11 seasons. Even the baseball team has picked it up lately and just hosted their first league tournament. Women’s basketball is really the only blemish on the record. Even women’s soccer and volleyball have had several good years since entering Division I.
On top of this, NDSU now has a dedicated indoor (and necessary outdoor) facility for every sport they play, as well as a brand new privately funded indoor football facility. This prepares them for any potential move. That move though is solely dependent on a conference invite, as you mentioned: FBS independent is not an option.
Good NDSU! Stay in the FCS! Too many teams have left the FCS and there are too many silly FBS bowl games. I would like to see every team that has left the FCS in the past 10 years moved back there.
This is a great video!
I’ve watched the ndsu bison from afar. They are good. They need to be in the big 12 from a competitive standpoint. Forget the mountain west, ndsu is simply better than the mwc. The ndsu is a p5 team playing in fcs, yes, they are that good.
Its not that they dont want to, but its a matter of what they will lose by jumping up. When they moved to FCS from D2 no one in their state was making the same jump so they found a new rivalry with SDSU. If they make this jump again to FBS they are leaving behind so much more than what they gain.
Without SDSU, NDSU has no reason. NDSUs athletic director has thanked SDSU for making the leap at the same time as it has lead to massive success for both teams.
NDSU needs to stay where they are!
EXACTLY! I would rather watch the Bison play for another FCS Championship vs (maybe) playing in some sh*tty LOW tier Bowl Game with VERY few fans in the stands. Plus (as others have stated) where are the $$ going to come from? Attendance the last 2 years is down too! Not always greener grass on the other side of the field. Stay put NDSU!!
NDSU, SDSU, and Montana would all have to go fbs at the same time.
Because of scholarship ratios of men versus women in sports, even if North Dakota state wanted to move up, they cannot. They do not have the required number or ratio of scholarship female athletes versus scholarship male athletes.
adding the additional 22 football scholarships for FBS membership would require adding scholarships for women as well. Currently NDSU fully funds all there teams (Men's and Womens,) to scholarship limits including FCOA. Adding 22 womens scholarships is not a huge issue, though it may require adding another womens sport.
What are male and female athletes? This concept is strange to me. I thought everyone competes against everyone else 😢
well, i've only watched 2 minutes of your video. First, if they went to the MW their farthest opponent would be in hawaii, their nearest would be in laramie. unpausing
…And I can’t blame NDSU for NOT wanting to go to the FBS! (FCS is better football anyway!)
No it not
Are you dumb?
Your map is wrong The vandals are in the Big sky conference.
South Dakota st better
SDSU better
UGA & Bama fear NDSU
SDSU better
Really?
The only fear they would have is the lack of culture