North Dakota State football is entering a new era as the team joins the Mountain West Conference this fall. Following the announcement, one central question has emerged: who will the Bison play? Athletic director Matt Larsen and deputy AD Todd Phelps have had to cancel five years of pre-scheduled non-conference games, starting fresh to secure three or possibly four non-league matchups for the upcoming season.
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez indicated that the conference plans to release its eight-game league schedule by the end of the month. With ten teams now in the conference, it is guaranteed that NDSU will not face at least one of them during the regular season. Typically, FBS teams avoid scheduling additional league games outside their conference during the regular season.
Understanding New Terms and Conference Structures
Fans will need to familiarize themselves with the terms P4 and G6, which refer to the Power Four leagues (Big Ten, Atlantic Coast, Southeastern, and Big 12) and the Group of Six (PAC-12, Mountain West, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Mid-American, and American Athletic). NDSU supporters are accustomed to leagues like the CAA, Southland, and Big Sky, but that landscape is shifting.
Non-Conference Scheduling Changes
The Mountain West is set to play eight conference games for now. This change is significant since the Power Four conferences will compete in nine league games for the first time, potentially opening up more opportunities for Group of Six matchups. Notably, three of the Power Four leagues—SEC, Big 12, and ACC—are mandating their teams to schedule at least one game against a Power Four opponent.
Larsen explained that the new scheduling formula for the Bison will include a home game against an FCS team, a home game versus a G6 school, a road game against a G6 team, and a road matchup at a P4 school. An example of this was seen with NDSU”s new league rival, Nevada, which has planned games against teams like Penn State (P4) and Middle Tennessee State (G6).
Fans can expect to see familiar opponents like Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, and Sam Houston potentially making trips back to the Fargodome. Other past rivals such as James Madison, Missouri State, and Delaware may also be revisited in future seasons. In the realm of Power Four teams, many Bison fans are hoping for matchups against schools like Minnesota and Nebraska, although sources have indicated that these programs may not be open to scheduling NDSU due to full schedules through 2029.
Adjustments to Regular Season and Game Times
The regular season for FCS has typically spanned 12 weeks with 11 games. This year, however, the FCS will adopt a 12-game schedule while the FBS season will extend over 13 weeks. Importantly, FBS teams cannot begin their seasons until Labor Day weekend unless they receive a waiver. The Thanksgiving weekend will now mark the end of the regular season, traditionally known as “Rivalry Weekend” in the FBS.
One of the most significant changes for NDSU fans will be the unpredictability of game times. Historically, home games have started at 1 PM or 2:30 PM. However, this season will see times dictated by television networks, leading to a variety of possible starting times, including mornings and evenings. With eight of the ten Mountain West teams located in different time zones, fans should brace for late-night games.
In summary, a new scheduling landscape awaits NDSU football fans. As the team transitions into the Mountain West Conference, adaptability will be vital. The excitement and challenges of this new chapter in Bison football promise to reshape the experience for both the team and its supporters.
