North Dakota State Joins Mountain West, Eyes FBS Impact

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Examining North Dakota State's Transition to FBS Football and Beyond

North Dakota State, historically dominant in FCS football with 10 championships in the last 15 years, is set to join the Mountain West Conference and transition to FBS level play. This move raises questions about the financial implications and the potential change in program dynamics, especially considering their consistent success and strong fan support at the FCS level.

There are notable precedents for such a transition, with schools like Marshall and Appalachian State moving to higher divisions and facing various outcomes. Marshall leveraged standout players like Randy Moss and Chad Pennington during their move to the MAC, enhancing their profile. On the other hand, Appalachian State experienced fluctuating success in the Sun Belt Conference despite a historic upset against Michigan.

James Madison University, another recent FCS to FBS mover, made a playoff appearance, indicating potential short-term gains but uncertain long-term impacts. The broader question emerges whether it's preferable for a program to dominate at the FCS level or to aim for broader recognition, albeit with potential struggles, at the FBS level.

This discussion also touches on the identity and visibility of programs from less prominent conferences, such as those in the MAC. Schools like Northern Illinois finding their way while maintaining a competitive spirit symbolize the thin line programs walk in today's college football landscape. The conversation rounds out with a nod to MAC football's competitive nature and the association's success in developing NFL talent, maintaining relevancy through closely contested games and occasional breakout seasons.