Dan, the last line of your post is the key. We'll have to see how it works out next year.
It is 13 months away. That is a full season of experience for the underclassmen. It is a full year for the coaches to get some games under their collective belts. A full year of recruiting for more and better talent. A year from now UND will likely have Chappell back in a Sioux uniform. A lot can happen in a year.
Additionally, it is the opener for the Red Raiders. They may not be fully prepared, take the game lightly, etc. Who knows?? It is still year away.
But, it does add a little WOW factor to the upcoming schedule and may help to lure some recruits who may have been looking elsewhere. And another plus is that it has the Bison fans in a tizzy.