North Dakota State has won at a record rate at the lower levels. The Bison are rumbling into the FBS

North Dakota State's football program is set to make the leap from lower collegiate football levels to the highest level of college football, as the Bison begin their new chapter as an FBS team. Their journey to this achievement was paved by an unprecedented string of success, with 10 national championships earned during their two-decade stay in the Championship Subdivision.

The program's dominance was on full display in the FCS playoffs, where North Dakota State entered with the top seed, a first-round bye, and an unbeaten record. However, a loss to Illinois State in the final game of the season marked the beginning of the end of their Championship Subdivision reign. Athletic director Matt Larsen expressed his determination to make the transition to the FBS, stating that the team was close to making the move but knew it was necessary for new challenges.

The Bison's new era began on Saturday with their first game as an FBS program, facing Jacksonville State. A few weeks later, they will host Air Force, marking their Mountain West Conference debut. The Bison's success story began decades ago when they won three national championships in the College Division, followed by five more Division II titles after the lower tier was divided into two.

Their transition to the FCS in 2004 laid the groundwork for their record 10 championships, with strong performances against FBS opponents, including Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Minnesota. The Bison's all-time playoff record is an impressive 86-20, with 51 victories in the FCS tournament. This transition was met with excitement from the community and players, who are eager to test their abilities against top-tier competition and reach their full potential.