FCSNATION

  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

  UIW finished a perfect 7-0 in the conference in 2024. Incarnate Word continued its hot streak in the conference with their high flying offense. Southeastern Louisiana came in 2nd place at 6-1 with an overall record of 7-5. UIW will be the favorite again in 2025 unless someone can knock them out of the driver's seat of the conference. Opening games for all Southland Conference teams are listed below. UTRGV welcome to the conference! 08/23 UIW vs Nicholls 08/28 SFA vs Houston Northwestern State vs Alcorn State Arkansas Baptist vs HCU 08/30 Lamar vs UNT Southeastern LA vs La Tech La Christian vs Mcneese State Eastern Washington vs UIW East Texas A&M vs SMU Sul Ross State vs UTRGV

  Last year South Carolina State won the MEAC finishing 9-3. NC Central came in second with a record of 8-3. South Carolina Tate would lose in the celebration Bowl to Jackson State ,however it was a great season for the Bulldogs regardless.  Below is opening Games for all MEAC Teams.    08/23 NC Central vs Southern 08/28 Towson vs Norfolk State Delaware State vs Delaware 08/30 South Carolina State vs South Carolina Towson vs Morgan State Howard vs Temple

  The 2025 football season is right around the corner. Last year three teams got into the playoffs from the conference: Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and Eastern Kentucky.  Many people believe Southern Utah should have also got a bid to the playoffs. This year the UAC looks to be one of the top conferences in FCS. Tarleton State will play 2 early season games, below is the opening schedule for UAC teams.  08/23 Tarleton State vs Portland State 08/28 West Georgia vs Samford 08/29 Tarleton State vs Army 08/30 North Alabama vs WKU Abilene Christian vs Tulsa Idaho St vs Southern Utah EKU vs Louisville Austin Peay vs MTSU UC Davis vs Utah Tech

  Last year the NEC came down to Duquesne & Central Connecticut. Even though the Duqs had a better record, C Connecticut won the final game of the season which sent them to the FCS playoffs. This year Duquesne will be looking for revenge as they will host C. Connecticut in November. Week 1 schedule in the NEC is listed below. Duquesne @PITT Mercyhurst @ Youngstown State Saint Francis @ ULM LIU @ Florida Wagner @ Kansas Stone Hill @ Sacred Heart Robert Morris @ Utah State Central Connecticut @ UConn

  The Patriot League recently added Villanova and will add William & Mary in 2026.  Last year Lehigh and Holy Cross tied for first Place at 5-1. Lehigh got the spot in the playoffs with a 9-3 record. This year will be different with an extra team in the conference.  Below is the week one schedule ,Villanova will not open up until September 6th.  Lafayette @ Bowling Green Fordham @ Boston College Holy Cross @ NIU  Richmond @ Lehigh Georgetown @ Davidson Bucknell @ Air Force Monmouth @ Colgate