Dom Izzo's schedule and recruiting notebook: Bison getting closer to 12th game in 2026

Twelve games is a reality for FCS teams in 2026, and yet no one has announced a game for the opening weekend of the season which is less than a year out.

In June, the NCAA approved a request by the FCS Oversight Committee to expand the regular season to 12 games.

Its not mandatory for teams to play 12 games, but with schools looking for revenue wherever they can get it, teams are going to hop at the opportunity to schedule another game.

North Dakota States consistent struggles to find non-conference games and with a tight deadline isnt a great formula to find a 12th game.

The Bison schedule was set for 2026 back in May 2021 when the Bison added games with East Tennessee State and Austin Peay.

Its been a scheduling formula going back to Gene Taylor that NDSU has to have six home games every season.

That is accomplished for 2026, and there are no FBS options available for the Bison.

Sources tell WDAY Sports that NDSU is close to scheduling an FCS team for the opening weekend next year on Aug.

29, 2026.

Sources add its a perennial playoff contender and it will likely be a home and home series, with NDSU getting a home game in the 2028 season.

The Bison just announced a home and home series with Weber State in June, where the Wildcats come to Fargo in 2027 and NDSU returns to Ogden in 2029.

What was known as Week Zero will become a nearly exclusive haven to FCS games next year.

Sam Herder from HERO Sports reported on Thursday that the Big Sky Conference will play conference games on that weekend next year.

The league announced last month that they are expanding to a nine-game league schedule and will use that first week to play league opponents.

With available TV windows, those games may become immediately appealing to the likes of ESPN and FOX.

Currently there are just two games scheduled for that date, Hawaii at Stanford and North Carolina facing TCU in Dublin, Ireland.

WELCOME TO THE 300K CLUB Back in 2016, NDSU had to pay Charleston Southern $325,000 to play one game for the FCS Kickoff, a number that hasnt been matched since.

Its hard to imagine an FCS team paying another more for a single game.

South Dakota State has found out how hard it is to schedule games after winning back to back national championships.

The Jackrabbits recently scheduled two future games, hosting New Haven and Dayton.

UNH is making its Division I debut this fall, and will come to Brookings on Sept.

5.

The Jacks will pay $300,000 for the game according to FBSchedules.com .

Thats the most money SDSU has had to pay to get an opponent to come to Brookings.

The Jacks game with Dayton will be played on Sept.

2, 2028.

The amount is not known for that game.

SDSU plays at Nebraska the following week.

OTHER VALLEY SCHEDULING NOTES The University of North Dakota has added a new opponent on its future schedules, as Morehead State (not Minnesota State Moorhead) will come to Grand Forks in 2028.

The game will be played on Sept.

9.

The two schools have never faced each other before.

The Fighting Hawks have three games lined up for 2028, opening that year at Minnesota on Aug.

31.

UND will also travel to Idaho on Sept.

16.

Illinois State has been busy over the last three months, adding two FBS games, Wisconsin in 2029 and Northwestern in 2030.

The Redbirds also added a game with Valparaiso in 2027.

The Beacons came to Fargo in 2021, Valpo plays its football in the PFL as well.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE OFFERS The last week has been a busy one for girls basketball players that are about to enter high school in North Dakota.

Not only are they starting a new chapter of their lives, but Division I schools are starting to pay attention.

A pair of soon-to-be freshmen each were offered by NDSU and the University of South Dakota recently.

Kaylie Welstad and Kinley Thorton are ninth graders at Bismarck Century and are now coveted prospects.

Neither have played varsity basketball yet.

Welstad is the daughter of Century head coach Nate, while Kinley is the daughter of Centurys assistant coach, Matt.

She is also the niece of former Bison football great, Esley Thorton, who played quarterback and linebacker for NDSU from 2010-14.

Jory Collins is also targeting some Bison legacy connections.

He offered Shanley senior-to-be Megan Dietz.

The 6-foot-2 Shanley post averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game last year for the Deacons.

Her older sister Emily played five years for the Bison, the last three for Collins.

Emily has the school record for most games played, she also was a graduate assistant with the Bison in 2023.

Megan has offers from MSUM, Bemidji State and Mary NDSU also hosted 6-foot-1 freshman Addison Campion over the weekend.

The Jordan, Minnesota native is the daughter of former Bison football standout, Pete.

Addison plays for the top-rated Minnesota Fury AAU team and is entering her freshman year of high school.

She doesnt have any offers yet, but there is significant college interest.

Her dad Pete was the Jim Langer Award winner in 2002, which goes to the top offensive lineman in Division II..

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