North Dakota State Football Team Sets Win Total at 8.5 for FBS Transition

The 2026 college football season is set to begin in three weeks, with North Dakota State making its transition from the FCS to the FBS, joining the Mountain West Conference. Alongside Sacramento State, North Dakota State will be eligible for postseason play after the NCAA approved a measure allowing immediate eligibility for transitioning teams.

North Dakota State, a historically dominant program with 10 FCS national championships, finished last season with a 12-1 record. The team is now projected to achieve a win total of 8.5 in its first FBS season. Key players include quarterback Nathan Hayes, who steps in after Cole Payton was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, and star wide receiver Bryce Lance, a fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints.

The Bison will open their season on August 29 against Jacksonville State, a rematch of the 2015 FCS Championship Game. North Dakota State is favored by 7.5 points in this matchup. The team faces a challenging schedule, including away games against UNLV and New Mexico, as they aim to meet or exceed their win total projection.