The 2025 FCS season is only weeks away and the current realignment cycle is still producing numerous changes that will impact the upcoming season. As we have done with the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons, below is a list of all the changes for the 2025 season and beyond. There’s a summarized list…
The NCAA Division I Council has voted to allow the FCS to have up to 12 regular season games each year, beginning with the 2026 season. FCS teams were previously permitted to play a maximum of 11 regular season contests unless there were 14 Saturdays between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. The 2024 and 2025 seasons…
The realignment impacts on the Western Athletic Conference have led to two schools joining the Big Sky Conference, one of which was a former member. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds and Utah Tech Trailblazers will join the Big Sky Conference beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Both schools are members of the WAC and compete in…
In January 2025, the NCAA amended its reclassification process, allowing schools to complete the process a year early. Four FCS members took advantage of the change and will be full Division I members for the 2025-26 academic year. As a result, East Texas A&M, Lindenwood, St. Thomas, and Stonehill are now eligible for the 2025…
One piece of Sacramento State’s future realignment plans has been set. The Hornets will move the majority of its sports from the Big Sky Conference to the Big West Conference, beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Sacramento State previously applied to join the FBS as a football independent starting in 2026, with the school unveiling…
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) will have new turf fields at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville, Texas, and Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg, Texas. Installation of the Edinburg field is nearing completion, while the Brownsville field saw a delay due to conflicting scheduling arrangements. The September 13, 2025, matchup against…
Villanova is making a football move out of the CAA to the Patriot League beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The Wildcats are the third team to leave the CAA for the Patriot League since May 2024, following Richmond and William & Mary. The Patriot League will consist of 10 teams: Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown,…
The television networks have made their early season selections for national broadcasts in the upcoming 2025 season. The FCS will have over two dozen regular season national TV appearances across the CW, ESPN, FOX, Fox Sports 1, and NBC networks. The FCS season will begin on Saturday, August 23, with a quartet of games. Tarleton…
Instant Video Replay Technology is a major driver behind the evolution of FCS football (Football Championship Subdivision). From North Dakota State’s dynasty run to the increasing number of FCS alumni making NFL rosters, it’s clear that FCS football is becoming increasingly more competitive each year. Specifically, the rise of sideline instant replay and advanced video…
The NCAA released its Academic Progress Rate (APR) on Tuesday, which measures the academic success of a school and its various athletic programs. Failure to obtain a rating over 930 can lead to penalties, such as the penalty five FCS member institutions face based on the APR scores from the 2020-21 academic year through the 2023-24 academic…
