There might be more than two months before the start of the Division 1 FCS football season, but football fans already have major matchups to look forward to.
Montana State, the No. 1-ranked FCS team in the country on FloCollege's preseason Top 25 list, is looking to defend its championship in the 2026-2027 season.
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The Bobcats have multiple nationally televised games, plus a rivalry game with expectedly high stakes against Montana.
Regardless of the team, football season can’t begin soon enough. This is FloCollege's list of 10 games for the 2026 FCS season that we can’t wait for.
Montana vs Montana State
One of the best rivalries in college sports is renewed for its 125th edition this season in Bozeman. The Bobcats have won three consecutive games in the rivalry, including a Montana State blowout win last season in the FCS Playoffs semifinal.
Montana quarterback and 2025 first-team all-Big Sky selection Keali’i Ah Yat will try to break the Grizzlies’ losing streak over the defending national champs in a game that college football fans can’t wait to see.
South Dakota vs Illinois State
South Dakota is the No. 10-ranked team on FloCollege's preseason rankings, and they’ll be looking for revenge against the FCS national champion runner-ups.
Illinois State’s miracle run to the national championship may have come up just short, but led by a new quarterback who is yet to be determined, the Redbirds still have one of the most talented rosters at the FCS.
A matchup between No. 6 and No. 10, what’s not to like?
Lehigh vs Villanova
Lehigh vs Villanova is a rematch of the second round of the 2025 FCS playoffs and two teams whose campuses are 20 miles apart.
Villanova upset Lehigh as the 12 seed in the playoffs, en route to a semifinal loss against Illinois State. 2025 Villanova backup quarterback Tanner Maddocks could have the inside track on the starting quarterback, while Lehigh is led by star running back Luke Yoder.
Villanova spoiled Lehigh’s memorable regular season last year, but now the roles are reversed. Can the Mountain Hawks pull off the upset?
Abilene Christian vs Tarleton State
Defending UAC champions Abilene Christian shocked Tarleton State at Wildcat Stadium last season, and will try to make it three consecutive wins over their Texas rival.
Tarleton State’s historic 2025 season ended in heartbreak in the FCS playoffs, and a new-look roster without standout receiver Peyton Kramer will have to get the job done against the Wildcats.
It’s a true 50/50 matchup between the UAC’s best.
SFA vs Abilene Christian
Stephen F. Austin has won eight of the last 10 games against ACU, but the Lumberjacks will be without veteran quarterback Sam Vidlak. Still, the No. 9 team in FloCollege's rankings is the favorite to win the Southland.
ACU is in a quarterback competition, with four new QBs brought in who are competing for the starting job in the Fall.
The battle of two purple powerhouses is a must-watch game for FCS football fans.
Montana vs U.C. Davis
It’s going to be difficult for U.C. Davis to beat Montana, but Minnesota transfer quarterback Jackson Collock could solve the Aggies issues.
In one of the top quarterback battles in the FCS this season, these two teams should make for a classic, back-and-forth shootout.
This is one game you don’t want to miss.
Harvard vs Yale
“The Game” is back, remaining one of the most historic and decorated rivalries in college sports. Yale dominated Harvard last season and is again expected to have the upper hand in their matchup this season.
Quarterback Jaden Craig transferred to TCU for his last season of eligibility, leaving backup Dante Torres with the chance to win the job in the Spring. Yale starter Dante Reno will lead the Bulldogs after coming to Yale from South Carolina.
Rivalry games bring out the best in football, and there’s no better one than Harvard and Yale.
South Dakota vs SDSU
The battle for South Dakota supremacy has brought some of the most memorable games in the FCS over recent years, and we’re likely headed for another classic between FloCollege's No. 4 and No. 10-ranked teams.
SDSU’s Chase Mason is one of the top returning quarterbacks in the FCS and will be helping the Jackrabbits try to get revenge for a 24-17 loss against the Coyotes last season.
Harvard vs New Hampshire
New Hampshire, which finished No. 23 in the final FCS rankings last season, will play Harvard for the eighth time in program history in 2026. Both teams have been competitive, but have struggled to get over the hump.
Can New Hampshire find success for their third straight season under head coach Ricky Santos and upset the 2025 Ivy League co-champions?
Rhode Island vs Yale
Rhode Island is one of the top teams in the FCS, coming in at No. 3 in FloCollege's rankings off an 11-3 season, one of the best in school history.
Yale looks to repeat as top dogs in the Ivy, making this matchup a battle between two probable conference champions with high-powered offenses.
Archived Footage On FloCollege
Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.
Watch The 2025 College Football Season On FloCollege
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