FCSNATION

  The Pioneer League officially has a playoff bid to the FCS playoffs. In 2024 Drake took first place and lost in the Playoffs at Tarleton State, 29-43. I think each year the conference is getting more competitive. It would be interesting to see the IVY League and the Pioneer League play each other more in the regular season. The question in 2025 is can Drake pull off a "three-peat" !? Every season each team is getting better with the transfer portal and great academics. In 2023 it was St Thomas knocking on the door, and in 2024 it was San Diego. Best of luck to every team in the Pioneer League in 2025. 

  T.C. Taylor lead Jackson State to a Celebration bowl victory last season. This came only two years after the departure of Coach Prime from the University.  The Tigers finished 12-2 on the season, hopefully they can continue their success in 2025. The SWAC is also the biggest HBCU conference in Division 1 football.  Week 1 opponents listed below.  Alabama State @ UAB Jackson State vs Hampton Southern vs NCCentral Alcorn State vs Northwestern State

  The Mercer Bears were the 2024 SoCon champions finishing 7-1 in the league. WCU finished 2nd with  6-2 record in conference. In the last 3 years WCU has had a phenomenal turn around, steady improvement over the last couple seasons. The Mocs of Chattanooga finished 5-3  in the conference a year after the departures of Ailyum Ford and Gino Appleberry. Many were waiting to see if Chattanooga could replace the offensive firepower those players brought to the table. In 2025 the Socon is wide open - it will be exciting to see who takes this conference in 2025.  opening schedule for the top SoCon teams from 2024 below. Chattanooga @ Memphis Mercer vs UC Davis WCU vs Gardner Webb ETSU vs Murray State

  Richmond finished 8-0 in the CAA last season. Rhode Island went 7-1 in conference, Delaware went 6-2 and Villanova also went 6-2. Delaware did not participate in the playoffs because of the move to the FBS Conference USA.  Villanova had a pretty good run in the postseason before losing on the road to UIW. University of New Hampshire lost to UT Martin. Richmond fell to Lehigh and Rhode Island lost to Mercer in the 2nd round. A pretty good year overall for the CAA. 2025 will be interesting to see how Villanova and William & Mary will perform their last year in the league. The top 4 Teams from 2024 opening schedule will be listed below. Richmond has joined the Patriot League -  a year before the other two. 08/28 Stony Brook vs San Diego State 8/29 Rhode Island vs Campbell 09/06 Villanova vs Colgate 08/30 UNH vs NC Central

  SEMO won the OVC BIG South last year. Tennessee Tech, UT Martin, Tennessee State all finished 6-2. SEMO got the playoff bid but lost to Illinois State in round 1 of the playoffs. The conference should be very competitive as usual this year. In the off-season Eddie George left Tennessee State for FBS Bowling Green. Western Illinois (3-5) Gardner Webb (3-5) Eastern Illinois ( 2-6) and Charleston Southern (0-8) will all be looking forward to improving their conference record from last season.  Below is the opening schedule for all teams in 2025. 08/28 Dayton @ Eastern Illinois Lindenwood @ St Thomas UT Martin @ Oklahoma State 08/29 Western Illinois @ Illinois 08/30 Cumberland @ Tennessee Tech North Carolina A&T vs  Tennessee State Gardner Webb vs Western Carolina SEMO vs Arkansas State Charleston Southern vs Vanderbilt

  North Dakota State won the National Title in 2024. The MVFC was very competitive in 2025. South  Dakota had a great year. It was a shock to see Bob Nielson retire after such a good year. Things will definitely be different in Vermillion without Coach around.  After the 3-way tie for first place, Illinois State also had a pretty good season in 2024 finishing with 10 wins. The Valley is always an exciting conference to cover and I can't wait until August to see these teams get after it. Opening games are listed below. 08/28 Mckendree @ Indiana State Mercyhurst @ Youngstown State 08/30  Murray State vs ETSU North Dakota State vs Citadel Butler vs Northern Iowa South Dakota vs Iowa State Illinois State vs Oklahoma Sacramento St vs South Dakota State Thomas More vs Southern Illinois North Dakota vs Kansas State