10 Things To Know About The 2026 FCS Football Season

Here's 10 things to know about the upcoming 2026 FCS football season.

Jul 6, 2026 by Tobias Linkin

Villanova Football Highlights From The Wildcat's 2025 Season In The CAA8:06

The 2026 FCS season ushers in a new era, with North Dakota State's move to the FBS opening the door for a wide-open national title race.

South Dakota State, Montana State and Montana headline a deep group of contenders, while conferences across the country feature more parity than they've seen in years.

Realignment, coaching changes and the transfer portal have reshaped rosters, creating fresh storylines from Week 1 through the postseason.

With new stars ready to emerge and no overwhelming favorite, the race to Frisco promises to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory.

Who Will Become The New FCS Dynasty?

North Dakota State has long been the most dominant program at the FCS level. After numerous national title runs, the Bison have finally moved to the FBS level, joining the Mountain West Conference.

So who are the programs that could take their place at the top?

Montana and Montana State could be ready to take that leap. Double digit win seasons have become a regularity for the Bobcats and Grizzlies. With NDSU out of the way, either one could take the mantle as top dogs.

Could We Have More FCS Over FBS Upsets?

The 2025 season saw four FCS schools pick up wins against FBS opponents, including Tarleton State defeating an Army team that won 12 games in 2024.

There are a couple matchups that we could see leads to upsets in 2026. Montana State plays against a Nevada team coming off a three win season in 2025.

Northern Illinois is coming off a three-win season of their own, and plays the National Championship runner-ups Illinois State early in the season.

At least four FCS teams have defeated FBS opponents in every season since 2021, and there are plenty of opportunities for that trend to continue in 2026.

Can Montana State Go Back-To-Back?

It was a historic season in Bozeman in 2025.

After an 0-2 start to the season, their first since 2017, the Bobcats rattled off 14 consecutive wins and won their second FCS National Championship and first since 1984.

Coming into 2026, the Bobcats are ranked No. 1 on FloCollege’s Way-Too-Ealy rankings. Quarterback and Stanford transfer Justin Lamson is returning to the team after a 26 touchdown season. Coach Brent Vigen also returned to the team after rumors he could leave for the FBS level.

As one of the most talented teams at the FCS level, the Bobcats seem poised to go back-to-back.

Montana Football Has A New Face At The Helm

Bobby Hauck is considered one of the greatest head coaches in Montana football history, with a combined record of 151-43 in 15 seasons with the team.

It’s a new era in Missoula, and longtime assistant coach Bobby Kennedy will take the reins for one of the premier programs at the FCS level.

Kennedy has been an assistant coach for multiple power conference programs, but has never been a head coach at the collegiate level. How will he and the program fare in a transition of power?

How Will Realignment Impact Teams?

Multiple college football programs at the FCS level have homes with new conferences this year.

The Patriot League has two new schools, with Villanova and William & Mary leaving the CAA. The Big Sky also adds Utah Tech and Utah Southern to the conference.

How will these moves impact college football? The Big Sky is considered one of the top conferences at the FCS level and now adds new members. Villanova made the playoffs last season with the CAA and now has a new home.

Watch how these are impacted by their new conferences this season.

Who Is The FCS QB To Watch This Season?

An FCS quarterback has been selected in the NFL Draft in five of the past six seasons.

In 2026, it was North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton who the Philadelphia Eagles selected in the fifth round. So who are the quarterbacks to watch this season?

It could be Keali’i Ah Yat, the Montana quarterback who led the FCS in passing yards in 2025 along with 33 touchdowns.

Or how about Youngstown quarterback Beau Brungard, who only threw 3 interceptions in 2026 and helped lead the Penguins to a playoff appearance.

Either way, watch for an FCS quarterback to make waves in NFL circles.

When Are The 2026 FCS Playoffs Taking Place?

First Round

Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026

Second Round

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026

Quarterfinals

Game 1: Friday, Dec. 11, 2026
Remaining Games: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026

Semifinals

Saturday, Dec.19, 2026

FCS Championship:

Monday, Jan. 4, 2027

Where Are The 2026 FCS Playoffs Taking Place?

The first round of the FCS playoffs, through the semifinals, are played in a non-determined venue decided by the seeding of the playoffs. Higher-seeded teams will host their games through the semifinals.

Where Is The FCS Championship Taking Place?

The FCS championship game will be played in FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

For the past 15 seasons, the game has been played in Frisco, Texas, at Toyota Stadium.

Nashville will become the 11th city to host the game.

Every Conference Move In The FCS

William & Mary: CAA to Patriot League
Villanova: CAA to Patriot League
Utah Tech: UAC to Big Sky
Southern Utah: UAC to Big Sky
Sacred Heart: Independent to CAA
Tennessee Tech: OVC to SoCon
Chicago State: New FCS Program
West Florida: D2 GSC to UAC

Who Won Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

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 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long.

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games.

Join The College Football Conversation

Follow us on X @FloCollegeFB
Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
Watch us on YouTube
Like us on Facebook