North Dakota State opens the biggest season in program history on August 29, when Jacksonville State visits the Fargodome in the Bison’s first game as an FBS program. After 10 FCS national titles, NDSU joins the Mountain West in 2026 — and thanks to a June NCAA rule change that scrapped the old two-year transition penalty, Tim Polasek’s third Bison team is immediately eligible for bowl games, the Mountain West Championship Game, and even the College Football Playoff.
Kickoff times for several games are still being finalized, and Mountain West TV windows firm up 6-12 days out — check back weekly, as this page is updated with times, networks, and results all season.
2026 Team Schedule
North Dakota State Bison Football Schedule
First FBS season · Mountain West · Fargodome, Fargo
FCS National Titles
10
Most in FCS history
Postseason Status
Eligible
June 2026 NCAA rule change
Home Games
6
6 road trips
Season Opener
Aug 29
vs Jacksonville State, 5:30 PM ET
Full 2026 North Dakota State Football Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Time (ET) / TV |
Result |
| Sat, Aug 29 |
vs Jacksonville State |
5:30 PM · CBSSN |
— |
| Sat, Sept 5 |
vs Fordham (FCS) |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 12 |
at Air Force |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 19 |
at Sacramento State |
9:30 PM · ESPN |
— |
| Sat, Sept 26 |
Bye week |
— |
— |
| Sat, Oct 3 |
vs Wyoming (Homecoming) |
3:30 PM · The CW |
— |
| Sat, Oct 10 |
at UNLV |
7:00 PM · The CW |
— |
| Sat, Oct 17 |
vs Nevada |
7:00 PM · CBSSN |
— |
| Sat, Oct 24 |
at New Mexico |
10:00 PM · The CW |
— |
| Sat, Oct 31 |
vs UTEP |
3:30 PM · MW+ |
— |
| Sat, Nov 7 |
Bye week |
— |
— |
| Sat, Nov 14 |
at Hawaii |
11:00 PM · The CW |
— |
| Sat, Nov 21 |
vs Northern Illinois |
4:00 PM · The CW |
— |
| Fri, Nov 27 |
at San Jose State |
3:30 PM · CBSSN |
— |
Games That Will Decide North Dakota State’s Season
| Game |
Date |
Why It Matters |
| at Air Force |
Sept 12 |
The first Mountain West conference game in program history |
| vs Wyoming |
Oct 3 |
Homecoming and the first MW opponent to visit the Fargodome |
| at UNLV |
Oct 10 |
Road test against the team that has made three straight MW title games |
| at Hawaii |
Nov 14 |
A late-season island trip that could carry championship-game stakes |
Fast Fact
The opener is a rematch of the 2015 FCS national championship game, which NDSU won over Jacksonville State — now both meet again as FBS programs.
Fast Fact
A June 24, 2026 NCAA vote eliminated the two-year FCS-to-FBS transition penalty, making the Bison bowl-, championship-, and playoff-eligible in Year 1.
Fast Fact
The Nov 27 finale at San Jose State is technically a non-conference game — the MW’s 10 teams play 8 league games, and NDSU-SJSU is the pairing that doesn’t count.
How the Schedule Sets Up
The Bison get a soft runway — Jacksonville State and FCS Fordham at home — before the schedule turns real at Air Force on September 12. From there it’s a classic Mountain West grind: Wyoming for homecoming, a trip to UNLV, and a November that runs through Honolulu. If NDSU stacks wins the way it did at the FCS level, the new eligibility rules mean everything is on the table, from a bowl bid to the MW title game — here’s how the College Football Playoff works under the postseason structure governed by the NCAA.
The Bottom Line
No program has ever entered the FBS with more championship pedigree, and no transition team has ever had this much to play for in Year 1. Six home games at the Fargodome, a manageable league draw, and a wide-open Mountain West make North Dakota State the most interesting newcomer in college football. Bookmark this page — times, networks, and results are updated throughout the season.
