Matt Zimmer: Some predictions on what happens now that North Dakota State has gone FBS

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Feb. 9—SIOUX FALLS — NDSU is finally going. They will transition to FBS effective immediately and join the Mountain West Conference in time for the coming season, but won't be eligible for the Mountain West championship game or College Football Playoff until 2028 (though they are appealing for immediate eligibility).

Good for them. The Bison are an incredible program and they've accomplished all they can at the FCS level. Their fans had lost interest. The rest of the subdivision (outside of maybe South Dakota State) was sick of them.

Obviously there will be plenty of fallout to tackle, both in Fargo and around the Missouri Valley Football Conference. I'm scheduled to speak with SDSU athletic director Justin Sell on Tuesday.

In the meantime, here are some predictions from me on what might happen in the near future. I'm not a big predictions guy, but this felt like it would be a fun exercise. Save this for submission to Freezing Cold Takes in 3-5 years. — The Bison will be immediately one of the best teams in the Mountain West Conference (reminder: Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State are leaving for the PAC-12). — The Bison's appeal for immediate eligibility will be granted and they will play in a Bowl game in 2026 or 2027. Maybe both. — The Bison will qualify for the CFP after the field is expanded to 24 teams and not before. — The move will immediately re-energize the Bison fan base. Ticket sales will surge. — The Bison will get a P4 school to come to the Fargodome within five years, if not sooner. — SDSU, while keeping an eye on the landscape, will not immediately take steps to follow NDSU to the FBS level. — SDSU will continue to make efforts to ramp up fundraising that would put them in position to make a move, but they'd be doing that anyway. Ditto for the Coyotes. — The FCS Vegas Classic that was to feature NDSU vs Montana State in 2027 and SDSU vs Montana in 2029 will fall apart or require restructuring if the Bison bail on it. — NDSU's move will not have a significant impact on SDSU or USD's recruiting. — Despite desire from some on both sides to continue the Dakota Marker rivalry, it will go on indefinite hiatus. — NDSU's 38-7 win over the Jacks last fall will not be the final meeting between the teams. — SDSU will miss the rivalry tremendously. — NDSU will miss the rivalry, but not as much as SDSU. — I will miss the rivalry tremendously. — I will miss teasing Mike McFeely about his FCS boredom. — I will miss being teased by Mike McFeely for not being bored by the FCS (actually, come to think of it, this will probably continue). — NDSU fans will not regret the move or miss the FCS, even when they're playing in the Cure Bowl while one of their old Dakota rivals is hosting three playoff games in December and winning another FCS title. — SDSU will look to further emphasize the rivalry with USD. USD will be understandably hesitant, but either the Little Brown Jug is resurrected or a new trophy is created. — UND will further ascend the FCS hierarchy and become a national title contender. — Parity at the top of the FCS will not improve to the degree that many expect or hope. The national championship will continue to go through the Valley and the Big Sky, with the Dakota and Montana schools remaining the strongest programs. — The Valley will not immediately find a replacement for the Bison. — And that's fine. — The college football landscape will continue to evolve dramatically. There will be more realignment. — Some FBS programs will drop down to FCS in the next few years. There will be opportunities for SDSU and/or other top FCS programs to make a move up. But it might not be for awhile. — Montana State will defeat South Dakota State in the 2026 title game to repeat as FCS champions.

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