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
W 33-7
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.
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.
