Week 0 and Week 1 of college football gave us an early glimpse into the newest members of the Football Bowl Subdivision: North Dakota State and Sacramento State.
After two games each, it has become clear that the two will face completely different transitions: one looks like a legitimate Group of Six contender, while the other may face a steep learning curve adjusting to stronger competition.
For many college football fans, North Dakota State needs no introduction.
The Bison dominated the Football Championship Subdivision level for years, claiming 10 championships between 2011 and 2024. In the process, they produced multiple top five NFL draft picks, like Trey Lance and Carson Wentz, proving NDSU has been ahead of the curve well before their move to the Mountain West.
Their FBS introduction came in a sold out Fargodome, throttling Jacksonville State 33-7.
Senior quarterback Nathan Hayes went 14 for 22 for 160 yards and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard strike to Jordan McCants. A third quarter fumble return by defensive end Blake Schiltz all but sealed the game, capping off an impressive debut.
NDSU followed up in Week 1 by taking care of FCS foe Fordham to move to 2-0. With pre-season Mountain West favorites UNLV and Hawaii both dropping early games, the Bison have immediately emerged as a genuine conference title threat. ESPN’s Football Power Index already projects them to be a nine-win team in year one.
Sacramento State, on the other hand, is far from the FCS dynasty of NDSU. The Hornets had few accolades to show prior to 2019, but over the past few years they saw rapid growth in the FCS. Three consecutive Big Sky championships capped off by an undefeated season in 2022 showed they had the makings of a winning program, despite falling short in the playoffs.
Their Week 0 matchup with Eastern Michigan revealed the growing pains you would expect in year one at the FBS level.
Sacramento State managed only 19 total yards and took 40 yards worth of penalties in a dismal first half. Their first FBS touchdown came on the defensive end, a fumble return by senior defensive lineman Xavier Williams near the end of the second quarter.
The Hornets’ first game jitters seemed to subside in the second half, effectively holding EMU off defensively. However, continued offensive struggles kept the deficit out of reach in a 28-17 loss. The Hornets bounced back in Week 1 against lower-tier FCS opponent Mississippi Valley State 52-0, but their schedule will only get harder from here.
For both programs, the jump to FBS isn’t cheap. Sacramento State was forced to pay $23 million in transition and conference fees, while NDSU paid $17.5 million. For such a hefty price, it brings up the question of whether the leap is worth the steep price tag.
NDSU has effectively traded FCS dominance for a chance to become a Group of Six contender, vying for the likely single bid to the College Football Playoff under recent rule changes. Despite being a massive underdog against powerhouses boasting future NFL talents, the access to major TV exposure and national attention may outweigh the comfort of FCS championships.
Meanwhile, Sacramento State is hoping to leverage their prime media market. Moving to the MAC conference presents awkward travel logistics, but Sacramento was previously the largest market without a single FBS program, representing a massive untapped well of potential. In the age of broadcast-driven realignment, the Hornets are betting on TV revenue to take them to the next level.
These two aren’t alone in taking the FBS gamble, as this is the fifth consecutive season with at least one school moving up to the FBS, including Delaware and Missouri State last year, all the way back to James Madison making the move in 2022.
The Dukes are the blueprint for prospective newcomers, after their unprecedented success. Head Coach Curt Cignetti turned JMU into an immediate threat, earning a ranking in the AP Poll their very first season, followed by an 11-2 record the following year. Cignetti went on to win a national championship with Indiana, while James Madison reached the College Football Playoff in their fourth ever FBS season.
In fact, many of the recent transitions from FCS have been successful. Jacksonville State has boasted more than nine wins in each of its three FBS seasons and a Conference USA title. Kennesaw State followed that up with a CUSA championship of their own after a slow first few seasons. Sam Houston State has had its ups and downs but proved its potential with a 10-3 campaign in 2024.
The costs are high, but FCS programs are still rushing to join college football’s top tier.
Whether it’s an established powerhouse like NDSU or a growing program in a promising media market, their success may have a broader impact on future teams deciding to make the switch.