Bison Forum

Boise State vs North Dakota State

Before the comments go crazy over this pick, as it is not an established rivalry, there are some deeper meanings behind this one.

It would be easy to say Nevada or UNLV, etc. But why not put the new kid on the block in the Bison against the former kings of the schoolyard in the Broncos?

If anything, the Broncos should see a piece of themselves in the Bison.

Boise State made its jump to the FBS level in 1996, going on to climb the ladder to WAC and Mountain West conference titles, along with bowl appearances and a 2024 playoff berth.

NDSU had quite the resume at the FCS level, with a whopping 10 national championships to its name (Boise State only won one in FCS).

Some fans and writers think that the Bison have a chance to follow a Boise State-esque blueprint to FBS relevancy.

If that is the case, then why not meet on the blue turf?

While the Broncos have a scheduled matchup against South Dakota coming up this fall, North Dakota State is not scheduled on their non-conference slate through 2035.

Will these matchups come to life? Who knows, but until then, you can find me on EA’s College Football 26, scheduling these games myself.

• The bill put into place strict standards prohibiting third-party NIL deals by granting legal protection for both the NCAA and the College Sports Commission. At the same time, the bill does not put athletes in a corner, allowing them the opportunity to collectively bargain or be deemed employees.

• There will be the option to pool media rights, which is on a voluntary basis, with the bill stating that a threshold of 75% of the more than 135 FBS schools has to be in agreement for this to take place. This will not play out within the SEC or Big Ten, unless both conferences agree to join negotiations, which would be a tall task.

• The Lane Kiffin Rule: Coaches would be forbidden to leave their current team until the season concludes, and schools are also not allowed to hire coaches before seasons end. That will obviously be a major talking point.

• A one-time transfer for athletes without having to sit out a season. Additional transfers may have consequences. A five-year calendar eligibility clock. Bars professional athletes from competing, no longer allowing G-League or NBA players to participate in the college game.

• Stops tampering, associations may prohibit inducements. The bill provides limited antitrust protection regarding this matter.

• Post-eligibility medical coverage.

• There is no salary cap, but schools have to stay within the House settlement guidelines.

• Protects whistleblowers from retaliation if they come forward with information.

• Protect women's and Olympic spots, protecting roster spots for these sports and athletes.

• The bill forbids the forming of a superleague (aka the SEC and Big Ten joining forces).

• Requires agents to register, caps NIL payouts to agents at 5%.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said Tuesday. "We’re two and a half years away from having an NIL budget that’s greater than the TV revenue for our entire university."

The current spending problem in college football is a perfect example, with the price of putting together rosters exceeding $40 million this season, which is obviously above the $20.5 million 'cap' that is supposed to be abided by.

Obviously, conferences like the Big Ten and SEC have no reason to join others in pooling together their media rights, given the amount of money each makes off their deals with FOX and ESPN. But for others, like the Mountain West or Conference USA for example, this could make financial sense once their current deals are complete.

The Mountain West announced its 62-game broadcast package for the 2026 football season, including 41 games on national television.

CBS Sports Network will televise 14 contests, while CBS Television Network will show one game. FOX Sports family of networks will air 13 games, including two on FOX, and The CW will broadcast 13 contests. MW+, the league’s new subscription platform, will show 21 MW football games.

The MW will have multiple national broadcasts in 11 of 14 weeks throughout the 2026 season, and the league will be showcased on six Fridays

The NCAA is moving to an age-based eligibility model starting in 2026–27, allowing student-athletes five years of competition within a five-year window beginning after high school graduation or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Current athletes whose eligibility ends by spring 2026 will not be affected by the new rules.

North Dakota State (10-2, 6-2 in the Mountain West)

The Bison have the easiest non-conference schedule in the Mountain West, and if I’m being honest, I don’t think there is enough in their schedule to make them a contender for a spot in the playoff. The Bison play one FCS teams, an independent FBS team in Sacramento State, and a Mountain West team in a non-conference game in San Jose State. They have some tough travel in Mountain West play, but double-digit wins feel likely for this squad. I have them losing to New Mexico and UNLV on the road. Ten wins in their first season as an FBS program would be a massive win for the Bison.

• Illinois State @ OK L 35-3

• UND @ Kansas State L 38-35

• UNI @ Wyo L 31-7

• Indiana State @ Indiana L 73-0

• YSU @ Michigan State L 41-24