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What Happened When North Dakota State Went FBS? 🚨

Growl Football

35,821 views

North Dakota State has DOMINATED the FCS for years, winning national championships and producing NFL talent along the way.

But in 2026, the Bison took on a whole new challenge: moving up to the FBS.

So how are they doing against college football’s biggest programs? Are the Bison ready for the next level, or is the jump in competition too much to handle?

Today, we’re breaking down NDSU’s historic transition to the FBS, the story behind one of college football’s most dominant programs, and how they’re holding up in their first season at the highest level.
From FCS powerhouse to FBS newcomer, this is the story of North Dakota State football. 🦬

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Special thanks to Eisen Productions for the footage and editing featured in this video. Be sure to check out his channel and show him some support!

#NDSU #Sports #Football #AmericanFootball #highlights #footballnews #espn #CollegeFootball #FBS #FCS #NorthDakotaState #edit

20 Comments

@growlfootball Creator 1 day ago Pinned

Thanks for watching! Comment what other team's you think might be able to make the jump 😤🦬

@MrPorterSxE 1 day ago

From an FCS powerhouse to a G6 powerhouse

@brendangalios1961 1 day ago

NDSU has always been a powerhouse. This wasn't sudden.

Since 1894, out of ALL college football programs, only Oklahoma has a higher winning percentage than the Bison.

People tend to focus just on our FCS era, but this program has always been a top dog. They WILL become a powerhouse in the FBS. It's just a question of how quickly. Turns out, good recruits enjoy going to winning programs.

@Stukmund 21 hours ago (edited)

Illinois State Redbirds fan here. I have nothing but respect and admiration for NDSU. The Bison were an absolute pain to go against every season but you always had to respect them for their hard games, great system, and incredible history. I was proud to see them finally make the jump to FBS this winter, and it's great to see their dominance continue! The Bison are legit and the FBS better not sleep on them! NDSU will become a powerhouse in a few seasons! Fantastic work on this video illustrating their dominance and showcasing their current success in the FBS. Fun watch, even as a diehard fan of a former rival!

Thanks for all of the incredible games, NDSU! I hope we at ISU will start dominating FCS and make the jump to reunite with them soon! The world needs to enjoy Birds-Bison on a national level. 😁

@cadburybabies 1 day ago

Great video! I came here because I’m a big NDSU fan and have been for a long time (back in 1995, I was going to go to what was then NDSU-Bottineau but didn’t. Still got me hooked though) but I re-watched it because I dig the quality of your production. Your editing is fantastic.

@Eisen-Productions 12 hours ago

Awesome Video! Loved seeing some of my footage in here. Even my edit at 2:45

@Magdalena8008s 1 day ago

I forsee them being the new Boise St. Like they will win their conference most years and become ranked and play much tougher opponents close and potential upsets often.

@MrGrombie 22 hours ago

I want those top 4 teams (3 now) in the Dakotas to join the FBS and Mountain West.
That would be a GREAT conference to watch. And their success would translate over if NDSU is any sign.
Literally no one are in those regions. They got easy access to a network. And then with success, they can get more recruits.
Imagine..... A little mini power house area that plays tough football. That would be hell of a sight.

@joelmayer4055 1 day ago

The top of any division/subdivision would be competitive in thr middle of the level above. If Momtana, Montana State, South Dakota Stare moved into any conference except probably Pac-12 and American they would be contenders immediately.

I am nkt as familiar with D2 but I dont see any reason that the top of that division wouldn't be cometitive in conferences other than MVFC or BSC.

@cheepvodka-gaming2629 1 day ago

I think for playoffs the only thing that hurt them is not getting a P4 opponent on their schedule. But I personally said, well there is the next Mountain west winner, as soon as i found out they joined that confrence.

@shawnerickstad129 1 day ago

FCS dynasty G6 powerhouse!

@stantaylor3350 1 day ago

You mentioned D2 you forgot to mention the other D2 program that has won the last 2 or 3 national D2 championships and that would be Ferris State Bulldogs. I've looked at their game highlights on U tube and they just crush their competition through the season and in the championship game.

@davidrodriguez3444 1 day ago

As of this video, they’re 5-0

@coastlineam 1 day ago

You know what I'm invested in? I want to see a game between NDSU versus Boise State that would be a good game to watch!

@GetOutAndThrowDG 1 day ago (edited)

They'll likely finish 11-2, ranked in the teens, and at least a bowl game if not group of 5 representation depending on the schools across the rest. Great advantage coming into and establishing the rebuild of the MWC, they'll be the strongest reason they can (potentially) get back to the type of reputation they had when they had Utah, SD (san diego) SU, TCU, BYU, BSU. I'll be really pulling for SD (south dakota) SU to come up into the MWC and join them in the near future. At the beginning of the season I had them at either 9-4 or 11-2 depending on the Air Force and UNLV games. Honestly if you're surprised by their season you've been out of the CFB environment

@NikTheRabbit04 1 day ago

Are we deadass.

@mdoerty13 23 hours ago

The transition rules were not in place when Marshall jumped up a couple of decades ago - and started winning the MAC on a regular basis. It is good that they are gone.