Difficult path for FCS teams looking to join the FBS
- Tom Weber
- 35 minutes ago
- 4 min read
CARBONDALE, Ill. — North Dakota State AD Matt Larsen spoke last week about the school’s continued desire to join the Mountain West Conference, saying its interest “is as strong as it's ever been.”
Last summer, Sacramento State president Dr. Luke Wood said, “we’re full steam ahead and we still plan to be playing FBS football in 2026.”
As it stands today, however, both teams will likely remain in the FCS in 2026.
The reality facing the Bison, the Hornets and any other FCS school that would like to join the FBS, is that the path is even more difficult than it was just a few years ago.
Since 2022, six FCS programs have moved up to the FBS — James Madison went to the Sun Belt, and Jacksonville State, Sam Houston, Kennesaw State, Missouri State and Delaware went to Conference USA.
When James Madison moved up, the application fee was $5,000. Now, the NCAA requires a $5 million payment.
Coming up with $5 million might be the easiest part of the equation. There is reportedly political pressure coming from the SEC, directed at conferences such as the Mountain West, to oppose any more watering down of the FBS ranks.
In denying Sacramento State’s admission last June, the NCAA said proper financing wasn’t enough. There must also be an invitation from an FBS conference. Sac State didn’t have one.