Just 13 FBS Teams Will Avoid FCS Matchups in 2026

COLUMBUS, OHIO - The upcoming 2026 college football season marks the 49th year since the NCAA's Division I was divided into I-A and I-AA, which were later rebranded as the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2006. Surprisingly, only a small fraction of FBS teams, specifically 13, will not compete against any FCS teams that year.

Among these teams is the University of Southern California (USC), which has a notable history of avoiding FCS opponents. In fact, the Trojans were set to face the UC-Davis Aggies in 2021, but due to fan dissatisfaction, the game was canceled 18 months prior to kickoff, costing USC $725,000. Ultimately, they opted for a matchup against San Jose State instead, while UC-Davis managed to secure a game against Tulsa, earning $400,000 and bringing their total earnings to $1.125 million after the cancellation.

USC is not alone; they are one of six teams from the Big Ten that will not take on any FCS opponents in 2026. Other teams include Michigan, which will host Western Michigan, Oklahoma, and UTEP in a series of non-conference games, generating significant payouts totaling $3.4 million.

Meanwhile, Michigan State will kick off the season with a pair of non-conference games against Toledo and Eastern Michigan, accumulating $2.8 million in payouts. Notre Dame's schedule includes a meeting with SMU, marking the first matchup since 1989, while Ohio State will host both Ball State and Kent State, continuing their trend of playing MAC teams.

This trend highlights a growing divide in college football, as FBS teams increasingly prioritize lucrative matchups and avoid the risks associated with facing FCS programs.