“The Flagship”: 2026 NDSU FBS Football PRE SEASON

[User1]

It appears that Side by sides are big out there. I have a buddy with a home in Ryan Park and he has a Jeep Wrangler for summer fun. Ton of logging roads.

Side x sides are fun. we put several thousand on ours using it like a car and cruising the back roads. Pretty popular around here now.

Yeah, Bubba sells a ton of them over there.

[JBB2]

Getting a pretty penny too. Lots of demand, I’ve got one of his Toro mowers.

[JBB2]

I just saw this on BV.

Originally Posted by Bison2024 View Post
Anyone on here witness the Ed Schultz bottle incident in 1988? I've heard bits and pieces about it but never got a full story.

Yes. As a matter of fact we were there.

We arrived at the south stands early. A fraternity had blocked a section of seats in front on the press box to the west of mid field. We sat between them and the press box. It was rowdy. Our thermoses were full too. Shoutin Ed Schultz (God Bless) was making his way up the stands to the press box. He was in a long trench coat (western style duster?) cowboy hat and boots. He was heckled mercilessly. He unfortunately engaged. It got kind of nasty. It didn’t let up.

Before the bottle was thrown, I guess the glass in the press box was open, we made our way to the car. The game was a one sided affair. We got the radio on and suddenly the tirade broke loose. It didn’t stop. It ran on and on. Full barroom brawl language. We we rolling. I’ve never heard anything like it. I’m remembering like 5 maybe ten minutes? Anyway. It was a once in a lifetime ballyhoo.

Ed survived but never recovered. He was scorned for an obvious und2 bias. Was run out of Fargo to become the voice of the d2 team up North.

Ed was a great broadcaster. He was the first to bring a real big time game broadcast atmosphere. God bless Ed Schultz. He is a big figure in The Bison Lore.

[JBB2]

It was never disclosed why there was a quart of whiskey in the booth.

[User1]

It was never disclosed why there was a quart of whiskey in the booth.

Well, you're gonna have that.

[JBB2]

KNOW THE OPPONENT:

October 24, 2026 Albuquerque, NM

Vs. UNM Lobos

COMPARE:

University of New Mexico - NDSU:

Established: 1889 - 1899
Forbes List of 500 Top Universities: #? - #368
Tuition: $11,445 - $9,868
COA: $30,396 - $21,915
Campus: Large City - Urban
Type: Research University - Land Grant Research
Location: Albuquerque, NM (564,000 City) - Fargo, ND(129,990)
Enrollment: 15,910 - 11,110
Endowment: 887M$ - 528M$
Nickname: Lobos - Bison
Colors: Cherry/Silver - Yellow/Green
Stadium: University Stadium - Fargo Dome
Capacity: 39,224 - 18,900
Total Athletic Revenue:  54.644M$ - $29.948M$
Total Athletic Expenses:  54.034M$ - $20.134M$
Athletic Debt:  1.89M$ - None Reported
Football Budget: 14.61M$ - 12M$ est.

The Lobos, 0-0 vs NDSU, schedule FCS (2025 Idaho State: Lobos 32-22) but never NDSU. In 2025 Idaho state was 0-2 vs. MWC. The Bison, using our GAM system are -13 vs Idaho State.

Attendance could be good. Looking at 2, New Mexico State & Nevada, game avg was ~28,000.

This is looking like a hot ticket. Over $100 on this site and going fast. Seems a little strange with so many seats.

https://gotickets.com/tickets/1506361/n ... quantity=2

A look from University Stadium

IMG_3928.jpeg (166.34 KiB) Viewed 4283 times

Current Sagarin rank: NDSU 40, New Mexico 81

Similar Schools: Illinois State State 87, Tarleton 82, Army 72, Michigan State 63

In Dec, 2025 the Gophers beat the lobos in OT 20-17. Neither team got much over 200 yds

Early Prediction NDSU -2. Total 50. Mythical Score Bison 26-24.

Both the Lobos and Bison are well balanced. The 2025 Lobos liked to pass and had a good rushing defense. The Bison will run behind an experienced Offensive line. If there is a weakness the Lobos pass defense is it.

Should be another tight game. New Mexico is a top MWC team. It’s in our time zone too.

Here’s a look at 2026 Lobo schedule:

https://golobos.com/sports/football/schedule

[JBB2]

KNOW THE OPPONENT:

October 31, 2026 Fargo, ND

vs UTEP MINERS

COMPARE:

UTEP - NDSU:

• Established: 1913 - 1899

• Forbes List of 500 Top Universities: #? - #368

• Tuition: $8,508- $9,868

• COA: $20,206 - $21,915

• Campus: Large City - Urban

• Type: Public Research University - Land Grant Research

• Location: El Paso, TX (879,000) - Fargo, ND(129,990)

• Enrollment: 26,297 - 11,110

• Endowment: 386.18M$ - 528M$

• Nickname: Miners - Bison

• Colors: Dark Blue/Orange/Silver Accent - Yellow/Green

• Stadium: Sun Bowl Stadium - Fargo Dome

• Capacity: 51,500 - 18,900

• Total Athletic Revenue:  39.137M$ - $29.948M$

• Total Athletic Expenses:  38.733M$ - 30.252M$ (updated)

• Athletic Debt:  1.5M$ - None Reported

• Football Budget: 13.15M$ - 12M$ est.

The Miners, 0-0 vs NDSU, schedule FCS (2025 UT Martin, Sagarin rank #184: Miners 42-17) but never NDSU. In 2025 the Miners did well at #7 Texas losing 27-10. Also noted is a loss to JAX State 30-27

A Campus tour could be entertaining for folks interested in architecture. Don’t be alarmed by the “pickaxe” hand signal. It’s traditional. Think horns sign and Go Bison!

Attendance could be disappointing or great. JAX drew 9,536, New Mexico State 16,677 Tennessee Martin 31,122.

UTEP directs to Ticketmaster. I could only see season ticket information. Single game didn’t show up for me.

https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/buy/is ... cyNDc1MwS2

Place is huge.

Current Sagarin rank: NDSU 40, UTEP 176

Similar Schools: Sam Houston State 207, UNI 180, Ball State 171, Incarnate Word 162, Harvard 142

This is another interesting match-up. According to Sagarin UTEP is ranked near the bottom of the FCS MVFC. Are these rankings accurate? That’s a question that might find an answer.

Early Prediction NDSU -14. Total 48. Mythical Score Bison 31-17.

The Bison are inexperienced. If they hit their stride this could be a typical old-fashioned Missouri Valley Football Conference rout. The Miners will have to stop NDSUs running game. It looks to be the Bison advantage.

Here’s a look at 2026 Miners schedule:

https://utepminers.com/sports/football/schedule

[JBB2]

No real details but it’s settled in principle.

Court listings have revealed that the Pac-12 and Mountain West “have reached a settlement in principle” in the Pac-12’s poaching penalty lawsuit against the MWC. There were “no details, no docs and nothing” was finalized, but a hearing is “scheduled” for June 9 (X, 5/18). The Mountain West had been “seeking upwards of” $150M in exit and penalty fees from schools that left for the Pac-12, including Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Utah State (X, 5/18).

Hopefully the MWC comes out flush with cash.

[JBB2]

NDSUs benefit is from money not paid legacy schools. Another 18 million is reserved for member recruitment. Not sure why? other new schools have paid entrance fees?

Maybe, for the right amount, there are bigger schools expressing interest joining the MWC, thereby improving the media deal, helping all of us?

Room for 2?

Details on settlement here

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/report ... mw-schools

[JBB2]

Picked this up. Top prospects for PAC 12 expansion  

Rank School

• 1 UConn

• 2 New Mexico State

• 3 Toledo

• 4 Tarleton State

• 5 Sac State

• 6 Montana State

• 7 Montana 

• 8 UC Davis

• 9 UNLV

• 10 UTSA

Must be top prospects for the MWC too? 18 mill. Toledo & UCon aren’t my favorites. Let the PAC have them. I think there might be more upside in bringing capable FCS schools into the league. Lots of FBS market wide open in the Dakotas, Montana Idaho & Mn to grab