College GameDay and the CFP? North Dakota State faces a defining month

North Dakota State's (NDSU) FBS season began with a strong 5-0 record, sparking speculation about a College Football Playoff (CFP) run. The Bison have defeated Jacksonville State, Fordham, Air Force, Sacramento State, and Wyoming, with their lone close game being against Air Force. Their only ranked opponent thus far is UNLV, which is currently 75th in ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI).

The team's next test comes this week against UNLV, a task that will introduce NDSU to FBS football. UNLV has had a strong start to their season, with a 4-1 record and only a loss to Oklahoma. NDSU, led by former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, faces a potentially tough opponent in UNLV, which is ranked 91st in ESPN's FPI. A loss against UNLV could quiet CFP talk, but a win would either strengthen NDSU's chances or ramp up the excitement.

Two weeks later, NDSU returns home to face New Mexico, a team led by rising coach Jason Eck. ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis has mentioned the possibility of the show traveling to Albuquerque for the Oct. 24 game, noting that NDSU's story could be an attractive subject. Should NDSU navigate the upcoming challenges, they could be discussing a Mountain West championship game appearance and a potential CFP berth.