FCS Football Sees Historic Conference Realignments Ahead of 2025 Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In a remarkable offseason, FCS football is undergoing unprecedented changes, with numerous teams shifting between divisions and conferences. Notably, several schools are moving from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), reshaping competitive landscapes for the 2025 season and beyond.
Starting in 2022, James Madison led the charge, transitioning to the Sun Belt. Following suit, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston made their FBS debut in 2023 under Conference USA. Kennesaw State is set to join the FBS in 2024, with Missouri State and Delaware scheduled to make that leap in 2025. In a significant shift, Saint Francis (PA) will drop down to Division III in 2026.
Conversely, several teams are elevating their status to the FCS level, including Texas A&M-Commerce and Lindenwood, both moving from Division II to the Southland and Ohio Valley Conferences respectively by 2026. Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Chicago State are also anticipated to launch football programs in the near future.
Further complicating the landscape, realignments within existing FCS conferences have arisen. Richmond and William & Mary are set to join the Patriot League for football, while Stephen F. Austin returns to the Southland from the WAC. The ASUN and WAC will merge to create a new football-only conference, the United Athletic Conference, enhancing their collective strength.
With automatic playoff bids dependent on maintaining a minimum of six eligible teams, many conferences face precarious futures. The Big South, for instance, could drop to just two active teams by 2024, while the WAC faces a state of transition with insufficient playoff contenders.
As FCS football evolves, these changes herald a new chapter for teams and fans alike, promising exciting developments in the seasons to come. For detailed updates and ongoing coverage, stay tuned.
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