What They’re Saying About Mountain West Adding NDSU Football

LARAMIE -- Tim Polasek thinks he has the roster right now to compete in the reimagined Mountain West.

He's not alone.

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North Dakota State, which officially announced its move to the FBS and conference on Monday, is no stranger to slaying Goliath. Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota and Kansas State are just a few examples of the Power-4 programs that have been featured at the beginning of SportsCenter after falling to the "Alabama of the FCS."

The Bison have claimed 10 of the last 15 national championships at that level. That school has also won five Division-II crowns and three additional "small college" titles.

Polasek, who served as Wyoming's offensive coordinator from 2021-23, is 26-3 during his two seasons as the boss in Fargo. He hoisted a trophy in Year 1. The ink is now drying on his new seven-year contract extension.

Would anyone be surprised if success came early and often in this newest venture?

“I like the football team,” NDSU's head coach told the media Monday. “I like our ability to go in and compete and not figure it out as we go. We’re not doing that here. This is about winning -- it always has been -- but there is going to be a process to figure out exactly where we need to improve and continue to attack that, like always.”

NDSU joins a football league that now consists of long-standing members Air Force, New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State, UNLV, Hawaii and Wyoming. Northern Illinois and UTEP will also enter the fray in July.

Matt Larsen said Monday the department has until June 1 to pay the NCAA a $5 million "transition fee." NDSU's Athletics Director said the final price tag to join the Mountain West was $12.5 million.

"We are thrilled to welcome North Dakota State University's football program to the Mountain West," said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. "The Bison bring a championship mindset and a bold vision for growth that aligns with the unwavering commitment to the excellence of the Mountain West. Their dedication to elevating the student‑athlete experience — on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community — will energize the Mountain West and help propel our football profile to new heights nationwide."

Fans from around the globe sounded off on X after the announcement was made. Here's what they had to say:

FROM FACEBOOK:

Dane Daniels Wyoming should have a dome just like NDSU

Dana Mackey Great! Hopefully they will trade coaches.

George Roberts Lets hope they get all sports in as well!!

Jordan Van Royen I was always surprised this took so long.

Patrick Green I like this. They’re a quality FB program that has the ability to beat any of the teams that vacated the conference and those that stayed. They’ll improve the appeal and strength of the new MWC and push UW to be more successful than they’ve been the last couple of years.

Carl Harms Will be interesting to see which current MWC teams get thumped by the formerly Division II team?

Sally Ann Shurmur We will have a VERY hard time beating them - this year or ever with Coach P as their coach.

Monty Penman The mountain west will be better than the pack 12 or what ever they are calling themselves.

George DelGrosso Not seeing this as a positive for WYO. It would be for NDSU.

Richard O Gomez Assures Wyoming will never win a conference championship

Christopher Strahan Well, with realignment, the 2026 MW football season was going to be different. It just got a lot more interesting with this addition! Don’t sleep on the Mountain West, I’ll gladly take proven FCS schools looking to make the jump! Are you listening Tarleton State, SDSU, MSU and UM? Welcome to the Mountain West Bison! Really happy that you are here!

Tyler Swanke Bout time they decided to become a big boy school, need Montana and Montana State now!

Brook Baldwin Group of 6 will be more fun to watch than the overpaid jr NFL power 4.

Richard Reyes Such a great move. With a strong program, NDSU will elevate the entire conference. Congratulations

Grayson Vouga Mtn west about to get belt to ass by the hand of NDSU. Good luck, youre going to need it.

Keith Harriger NDSU adds some aura to the conference for sure. Championship pedigree. National brand.

Kenny Wilcox I feel like they’ll either dominate the conference or shrink. Hoping for the dominance to continue.

Erinn Armstrong Trading in national championships for MWC conference championships.... good luck with that

Scott Albin North Dakota State's immediate rival is...northern Illinois or Wyoming?

Dennis Gullickson As a season ticket holder and supporter of Bison Football I am extremely excited for the Bison. Joining the Mountain West has been a dream for several years. Go Bison and Go Mountain West!

David Pryor The Mountain West is literally just CUSA 2.0 they're so bad that an FCS team will come in and immediately compete for a conference title

Mike Spencer North Dakota State is going to find out how tough it really is and they may not like it and want to go back down to their own conference

Brian Dorff It took years for the old NCC D2 teams to all move up to D1 and restore those amazing geographic rivalries (ND, ND ST, SD, SD ST) and now it's all blown up again. Good for NDSU but realize that something magical has been lost in the process. I know how much of a toll that the cost of moving up to D1 had on these schools when they went from D2 to D1; schools had to cut sports in some instances. Can NDSU really afford the additional money to run this program? they're not going to sell any additional seats on gameday.

Larry Hartze Great how the hell is my fan bus going to travel to Hawaii?

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players