Three weeks out from kickoff, the biggest headline isn’t about some established power, it’s about North Dakota State making a wild jump to the FBS, and their win total is set at 8.5. Let me tell you, if you’ve been watching college football at all, that number feels like a total steal. This team wasn’t just good at the FCS level, they were a dynasty, and the rest of the Mountain West better pay attention.
The Bison’s Dominance and Their New Path
Okay, so NDSU just spent years as the absolute kingpins of FCS football. We’re talking 10 national championships in the last 15 seasons. TEN! Last year alone, they ripped off a 12-1 record and made it to the FCS playoffs for a stunning 16th straight season. Yeah, they got stunned in the second round by Illinois State, snapping a 15-straight quarterfinals streak, and that was a bummer, but it doesn’t erase years of absolute domination. And get this, the NCAA just approved a measure in June letting these transitioning teams be immediately eligible for postseason play. That’s a game-changer and shows the confidence in NDSU’s ability to compete right away.
Shaking Up the Mountain West
The Mountain West is going through some serious changes, losing Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State to the new-look Pac-12. Now, they’re adding NDSU (football-only), Northern Illinois (football-only), and UTEP (all sports), but the conference is still down to just 10 schools, the fewest since 2012. UNLV is currently the favorite at +260, even after losing the last three conference title games to Boise State. New Mexico is at +265, and then right there, NDSU is at +300 for the conference title. To simply reach that championship game, the Bison have the shortest odds at -130. That tells you everything you need to know about the respect they’re getting, even as newcomers.
New Signal-Caller, Same Championship Mentality?
Last year’s squad was stacked. They had a school-record 10 first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference picks and seven players named to the AP FCS All-American team, including three first-teamers. Their QB, Cole Payton, was an absolute stud, leading the FCS in passing yards per attempt (12.1) and ranking second in completion percentage (71.9) and pass efficiency (193.8, a school record). It’s no surprise the Philadelphia Eagles snagged him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Stepping in for Payton is senior Nathan Hayes, who appeared in 10 games last year as the backup, throwing for 381 yards and four scores. Plus, they’ve still got star wideout Bryce Lance, the younger brother of former NDSU star Trey Lance. So yeah, there’s a new face under center, but the talent around him, and the culture of winning, is still there.
The 2026 season kicks off in just three weeks. All eyes will be on Nathan Hayes as he takes the reins, and whether this team, with its championship pedigree, can smash that 8.5-win line and truly make the Mountain West their new playground from day one. You gotta wonder if those other teams are ready for the Bison to storm in.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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