And it occurs to me that there is no time for NDSU to beg out of their 2026 commitments. So even though The Bison will be official MWC members they will not be playing a MWC schedule. Unless there is a MWC team already on the NDSU schedule by coincidence, then The Bison will be playing an all-OOC schedule. I think the first two seasons of a FBS promotion are "provisional status" anyway, so I guess it just don't matter. Glad to have some actual realignment news to break up the stream of ND gossip.

change the 2-year transition period. Unless there was a change in the bylaws to waive the transition period.

FBS. During this period transition teams are technically ineligible to compete in the NCAA DI Playoffs (aka FCS Playoffs) because the provide more scholarships than the 63 equivalent cap for scholarships and ineligible to compete in a bowl game because they are not a full FBS member. Mainly because during the second year most school don't offer the full scholarship requirement, but instead a number between the first year number and the full requirement number. For example, when the FBS cap was 85, transition teams had to offer 70-72 full scholarships by the end of the first (fiscal) year. Then at the start of the second year, those teams enter the season with those 70-72 full scholarships and by the end of the fiscal year they are offering or able to offer 85 full scholarship at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1. I don't know what the number requirements are now that teams can offer 105 full or partial scholarships in FBS. However, Delaware and Missouri State were in the transition phase and were allowed to compete in a bowl game. The only explanation I can think of is they made an announce during a specific window and allowed them to opt out of the FCS Playoffs during their "first year of transition." If this season was considered their "second year of transition" based on the number of scholarships they offer, then they could receive a waiver from the NCAA Oversight Committee (I think that is the right committee) so they could play in the bowl game. I don't remember when either school officially made their announcement. I do know neither school participated in the 2024 FCS Playoffs, but I don't know if that was considered their first year of transition or not. North Dakota State might be ineligible to play in a bowl game in 2026, but receive a waiver in 2027. Especially if they are already offering 105 scholarships at the start of the fiscal year (July 1, 2027).

When the P2 creates their top tier division, NDSU doesn't want to be 2 steps below that. They want to be with the +/- 88 schools to compete for the G5 (insert new name) title. I expect other schools to do similar as 2030 gets closer.

VT is thinking the same thing. If P2-DI comes to fruition, then it could be interesting to see which division the ACC and Big XII end up in because right now they have a seat at the "adult table." What else will be interesting to see play out is the impact this change will have on the "more popular" non-revenue sports that rely heavily on non-P2 schools for participating teams. I am thinking of ice hockey and lacrosse specifically because seem to get a lot of broadcast coverage on the ESPN family of networks and/or the conference networks. For some reason I don't see the P2s suddenly stop sponsoring those sports because of the change. However, I am not sure what leverage the situation could give the non-P2s. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

to the MAC for football only, as the PAC, MWC, and CUSA have turned them down. SMH, I've been to many MAC games, and they have gennerally stayed in their lane. The Dekoata's would have been good for the MAC, but like other conferences to remain un named, there is entirely too much dead weight in the MAC for them to ever be a factor.