What Teams Can Replace North Dakota State as an FCS Dynasty?

It’s a dynasty unlike anything we’ve ever seen at the FCS level. There’s no replacing what North Dakota State did since its first FCS Playoff appearance in 2010 with a combined 51-6 postseason record and 10 FCS National Championships. With the recent announcement of the Bison joining the FBS, the question now is what teams have the best chance to follow in their footsteps?

Here are our 5 teams that we think can (in no particular order).

Photo Credit: Youngstown State Athletics

1. Youngstown State

Let’s turn the clock back to 90s where the Youngstown State Penguins were all that and a bag of chips! The new FCS leader in national championships with four, all coming from 1991 to 1997, look to return to their recent run of greatness. It’s now been over 10 years since the Penguins made a national championship run and nearly 20 since winning one, but with the reigning Walter Payton Award winner, Beau Brungard, this season can kickstart another run like the 90s. Boo-Yah!

2. Montana State

Let’s move a little west. Enter the Big Sky Conference. One of the best conferences in the FCS, and after the departure of NDSU, maybe the top in FCS. Montana and Montana State could both be considered here, but we like the Bobcats. Winning its first title since 1984 last year, Montana State, is set this year to go back-to-back with a lot of returning starters and one of the best head coaches in the FCS. Without NDSU, who knocked the Bobcats out of the FCS playoffs in five of their last seven appearances, the door is wide open for a dynasty run in Bozeman.

3. South Dakota State

In the words of Lee Corso, “not so fast my friend.” There’s another team in the MVFC that claims the most recent title run without its biggest rival. South Dakota State has hoisted the national title trophy two of the last four years with its first coming in 2022. Since 2017 the Jackrabbits have made semifinal runs seven times and have made the FCS playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons, which now takes over as the current longest FCS streak. This team has the facilities and backing to make championship runs for years to come.

4. North Dakota

This one might surprise you, but hear us out. Now with big brother moving out of the house, do some of the recruits the Bison would normally snag head to Grand Forks for a chance to win an FCS title instead of a bowl game like the Hawai’i Bowl or the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? We would, but we’re impartial to the FCS. Now this concept depends on the success, or lack thereof, of NDSU at the FBS level, but the Fighting Hawks have had recent success. They just need to get past the second round to be more of a dynasty contender - something they haven’t done since 2020 in a COVID-shortened FCS Playoffs.

5. Tarleton State

Giddy up! We’re going all the way to Texas for this one. Recent FCS upstart Tarleton State has the resources and facilities to be a powerhouse at the FCS level. The 2027 season has a lot of question marks after a 12-win season a year ago, especially on the offensive side of the ball. With a win total matching or increasing every year, the sky is the limit for the Texans. The question now is will the Texans remain at the FCS level long enough to make a run like NDSU?

Honorable Mentions

Montana

Illinois State

South Dakota

UC Davis

Rhode Island