The terms FBS and FCS still feel relatively new or seem vague in meaning for a significant portion of the college football fanbase. The two terms came about in 2006, when the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rebranded what had been known as Division 1-A (which was comprised of the largest college football programs) as FBS, which stands for Football Bowl Series, and Division 1-AA (the smaller football programs) was renamed FCS, or Football Championship Series.
The new names for these two divisions were designed to represent the way in which champions of each respective division are crowned. The Football Bowl Series (FBS) division originally used bowl games to ultimately rank the top teams at the end of the season. The Football Championship Series (FCS) uses a much more inclusive 24-team playoff system that gives more teams the opportunity to vie for the championship.
Fan Pro Tip: Something that has caused confusion among college football fans about what schools made up Division 1-A and which were in Division 1-AA is the fact that in high school nomenclature, the more “A”s your program has, the bigger it is. Take note of the difference in, just the opposite actually, that was used for classifying college football programs. The bigger Division 1 schools were classified with just one A, and smaller Division 1 schools had two A’s.
The chart below gives a pretty comprehensive overview of the difference between the characteristics of FBS versus FCS football programs.
I’ll describe some of these distinguishing features between FBS and FCS below.
But before we get into the aspects that distinguish FBS football teams from FCS teams, let’s add some context to the discussion by looking at the NCAA, the organization that governs college football.
The NCAA was founded in 1906, initially as the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS), primarily to address the dangerous nature of early college football, which had high rates of injury and fatalities.
The NCAA’s early efforts focused on implementing safety regulations and standardizing the rules of college football, laying the groundwork for the organization to expand its influence over the sport. As college football grew in popularity and complexity, the NCAA’s role evolved to include not only rule enforcement but also the governance of the sport’s organizational structure. This expansion led to the classification of schools into divisions based on their competitive levels and resources. In 1978, the NCAA introduced a key distinction within Division I football, creating two subdivisions: Division I-A, now known as the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), and Division I-AA, now known as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This move was aimed at addressing the growing disparities in program sizes, funding, and competitive balance, ensuring a more equitable and manageable structure within college football.
The NCAA sets the criteria for classifying college football programs, including factors such as:
The NCAA reviews applications for changing classifications and oversees the transition process.
The NCAA sets different scholarship limits for Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools. FBS teams, which are typically larger schools with more resources, are allowed to offer up to 85 full scholarships. These must be full scholarships covering tuition, fees, room, board, and required course-related books. In contrast, FCS teams, generally smaller schools, can offer the equivalent of 63 full scholarships. However, FCS programs have more flexibility in how they distribute these scholarships, often dividing them among more players as partial scholarships. This difference in scholarship limits reflects the varying resource levels between the two subdivisions and helps maintain competitive balance within each level of play.
Scholarship Limit Exceptions: Army, Navy, Air Force
There are three US military academies who are FBS football teams for which the 85 full scholarship limit doesn’t apply. Army, Navy, and Air Force. As explained below, full-ride scholarships are given to each person attending a military school, including football players and other athletes.
All cadets attending a United States service academy receive a full scholarship in exchange for a mandatory commitment to serve in the United States military following graduation.
The Most Bang for Your Buck: Are the United States Military Academies the Most Cost-Effective Way of Producing Officers?
The postseason formats for FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) differ significantly in structure and philosophy. In the FBS, the postseason primarily revolves around bowl games, with the pinnacle being the College Football Playoff (CFP). The CFP currently features four teams selected by a committee, who compete in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the national championship game.
The College Football Playoff changes to a 12-team playoff system beginning this year (2024). The new playoff format has been explained in detail on NCAA.com.
Other FBS teams that meet eligibility requirements (typically a 6-6 record or better) can participate in various bowl games, which are essentially exhibition matches often tied to specific conferences or regions.
In contrast, the FCS employs a more traditional playoff system to determine its national champion. The FCS playoff involves 24 teams, with 11 conference champions receiving automatic bids and 13 at-large teams selected by a committee. This format allows for a broader representation of teams and a clear path to the championship through on-field results. The FCS playoffs typically span several weeks, culminating in the national championship game. This system is often praised for its inclusivity and the excitement it generates through multiple rounds of win-or-go-home competition.
The only postseason bowl held in FCS is the Celebration Bowl, which pits the winners of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) against each other.
The attendance at FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) games is generally much higher than at FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) games. To be classified as an FBS school, programs must meet a minimum attendance requirement, averaging at least 15,000 in actual or paid attendance per home game over a rolling two-year period. FBS games often draw large crowds, with programs like the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, and Penn State University regularly attracting over 100,000 fans per game. For example, Michigan’s “Big House” regularly exceeds 110,000 attendees. On the lower end, some FBS schools like the University of Akron or Eastern Michigan University often see attendance figures closer to the minimum threshold, averaging around 15,000 to 20,000 fans per game.
In contrast, FCS games typically have much lower attendance figures. While there is no minimum attendance requirement for FCS schools, average attendance can vary widely depending on the program’s success and fan base. High-attendance FCS programs, such as North Dakota State University, can draw crowds of over 18,000 fans per game, reflecting their strong performance and loyal fan base. However, many FCS programs see much lower attendance, often averaging between 3,000 to 8,000 fans per game. For instance, programs in smaller conferences or those with less competitive teams may struggle to draw large crowds, with some games attended by fewer than 1,000 spectators. This stark contrast in attendance highlights the differences in visibility, financial resources, and overall scale between the two subdivisions.
College football conferences are groups of schools that agree to compete against each other regularly, typically sharing geographic proximity, similar academic profiles, or historical rivalries. These conferences exist to provide structure to the competitive landscape, facilitate scheduling, and create a sense of shared identity and tradition among member institutions. Conferences also negotiate media rights and bowl tie-ins collectively, which can lead to significant financial benefits for member schools. Additionally, conferences often have their own championships, adding another layer of competition and prestige for teams.
In the context of FBS and FCS classifications, conferences play a crucial role. In the FBS, there are ten conferences, including the so-called “Power Five” (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12) and the “Group of Five” (American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt). These conferences have automatic ties to specific bowl games and, in the case of Power Five conferences, greater representation in the College Football Playoff system. In the FCS, there are 15 conferences whose champions typically receive automatic bids to the FCS playoff. The conference structure in both subdivisions helps to organize competition, determine postseason eligibility, and distribute resources, while also reflecting the different scales and priorities of FBS and FCS football programs.
It is clear from the differences that separate FBS from FCS, including many indicators of overall competitiveness, that there would also be a measurable difference between football players who lay on FCS teams versus those who play on FBS teams.
The table below gives some estimates of the differences between FBS and FCS for players of various positions on a college football team. This should give you some insight into the athletic differences that tend to exist between the two college football subdivisions.
| Position | Metric | FCS Average | FBS Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Height | 6’2″ | 6’3″ |
| Weight | 210 lbs | 215 lbs | |
| 40 Yard Dash | 4.7 seconds | 4.6 seconds | |
| Vertical Leap | 28 inches | 31 inches | |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs x 10 reps | 225 lbs x 12 reps | |
| Squat | 350 lbs | 400 lbs | |
| Power Clean | 225 lbs | 250 lbs | |
| Deadlift | 450 lbs | 500 lbs | |
| Running Back | Height | 5’10” | 5’11” |
| Weight | 200 lbs | 210 lbs | |
| 40 Yard Dash | 4.5 seconds | 4.4 seconds | |
| Vertical Leap | 31 inches | 35 inches | |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs x 15 reps | 225 lbs x 20 reps | |
| Squat | 400 lbs | 450 lbs | |
| Power Clean | 250 lbs | 275 lbs | |
| Deadlift | 500 lbs | 550 lbs | |
| Wide Receiver | Height | 6’0″ | 6’1″ |
| Weight | 190 lbs | 200 lbs | |
| 40 Yard Dash | 4.6 seconds | 4.4 seconds | |
| Vertical Leap | 32 inches | 36 inches | |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs x 8 reps | 225 lbs x 12 reps | |
| Squat | 350 lbs | 400 lbs | |
| Power Clean | 225 lbs | 250 lbs | |
| Deadlift | 450 lbs | 500 lbs | |
| Offensive Lineman | Height | 6’4″ | 6’5″ |
| Weight | 300 lbs | 310 lbs | |
| 40 Yard Dash | 5.3 seconds | 5.1 seconds | |
| Vertical Leap | 24 inches | 27 inches | |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs x 20 reps | 225 lbs x 25 reps | |
| Squat | 450 lbs | 500 lbs | |
| Power Clean | 275 lbs | 300 lbs | |
| Deadlift | 550 lbs | 600 lbs | |
| Linebacker | Height | 6’1″ | 6’2″ |
| Weight | 230 lbs | 240 lbs | |
| 40 Yard Dash | 4.7 seconds | 4.6 seconds | |
| Vertical Leap | 30 inches | 34 inches | |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs x 15 reps | 225 lbs x 20 reps | |
| Squat | 400 lbs | 450 lbs | |
| Power Clean | 250 lbs | 275 lbs | |
| Deadlift | 500 lbs | 550 lbs | |
| Defensive Back | Height | 5’11” | 6’0″ |
| Weight | 190 lbs | 200 lbs | |
| 40 Yard Dash | 4.6 seconds | 4.4 seconds | |
| Vertical Leap | 32 inches | 36 inches | |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs x 10 reps | 225 lbs x 15 reps | |
| Squat | 350 lbs | 400 lbs | |
| Power Clean | 225 lbs | 250 lbs | |
| Deadlift | 450 lbs | 500 lbs |
| Conference | Schools |
|---|---|
| ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) | Boston College, California, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Southern Methodist, Stanford, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest |
| American Athletic Conference (AAC) | Army, Charlotte, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, Rice, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, UTSA |
| Big Ten Conference | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin |
| Big 12 Conference | Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, UCF, West Virginia |
| Conference USA (C-USA) | FIU, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, UTEP, Western Kentucky |
| MAC (Mid-American Conference) | Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan |
| Mountain West Conference | Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming |
| Pac-12 Conference | Oregon State, Washington State |
| SEC (Southeastern Conference) | Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt |
| Sun Belt Conference | Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, Troy |
| Independent | Army, UConn, UMass, Notre Dame |
| Conference | Schools |
|---|---|
| Big Sky Conference | Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State, UC Davis, Weber State |
| Big South Conference | Bryant, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Robert Morris |
| CAA Football (Colonial Athletic Association) | Albany, Delaware, Elon, Hampton, Maine, Monmouth, New Hampshire, North Carolina A&T, Rhode Island, Richmond, Stony Brook, Towson, Villanova, William & Mary |
| Ivy League | Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Yale |
| MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) | Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina Central, South Carolina State |
| MVFC (Missouri Valley Football Conference) | Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, North Dakota, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois, Youngstown State |
| NEC (Northeast Conference) | Central Connecticut, Duquesne, LIU, Merrimack, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (PA), Stonehill |
| OVC (Ohio Valley Conference) | Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin |
| Patriot League | Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh |
| Pioneer Football League | Butler, Davidson, Dayton, Drake, Marist, Morehead State, Presbyterian, San Diego, Stetson, Valparaiso, St. Thomas (MN) |
| SoCon (Southern Conference) | The Citadel, East Tennessee State, Furman, Mercer, Samford, Chattanooga, VMI, Western Carolina, Wofford |
| Southland Conference | Houston Baptist, Incarnate Word, Lamar, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana |
| SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) | Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Grambling State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A&M, Southern, Texas Southern |
| WAC (Western Athletic Conference) | Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State, Utah Tech, Southern Utah, North Alabama |
| Independent | North Carolina A&T, Tarleton State, Dixie State (Utah Tech), UConn, UMass, Kennesaw State |
Historically, FBS teams have a dominant record against FCS teams, winning over 90% of these matchups.
Comparing the FBS to the FCS wouldn’t be complete without including a list of games in which an FCS team upset an FBS team. You’ll notice in many of the FCS “upsets” of FBS teams below, the results of the rest of the FBS teams’ seasons showed that they were either 1) not as good as they were thought to be during the game versus the FCS team; or 2) the loss to an FCS team demoralized them and sent them into a downward trajectory.
Appalachian State vs. Michigan (2007)
James Madison vs. Virginia Tech (2010)
North Dakota State vs. Iowa (2016)
Howard vs. UNLV (2017)
Montana vs. Washington (2021)
Adding humor to this list (and highlighting the fact that FBS teams can occasionally underestimate their FCS little brothers) is the recent case of Texas A&M (by far the weirdest fan base in college football) versus Appalachian State. At their traditional yell practice, the Aggies roasted the Mountaineers. On game day, though, Appalachian State ended up roasting Texas A&M’s top 10 FBS ranking and helped them along the way to a losing season.
Appalachian State vs. Texas A&M (2022)
In conclusion, while both FBS and FCS represent high levels of college football competition, they differ significantly in several key areas, reflecting the diverse landscape of collegiate athletics. The scholarship disparity – 85 for FBS versus 63 for FCS – underscores the resource gap between these subdivisions and influences the depth and quality of talent each can recruit and field.
The contrasting postseason formats highlight different philosophies in determining champions. The FBS’s bowl system and four-team playoff cater to tradition and high-stakes, limited-entry competition, while the FCS’s 24-team playoff emphasizes inclusivity and on-field resolution of the championship. This difference extends to bowl games, which are a hallmark of the FBS postseason but absent in FCS, further distinguishing the two in terms of media exposure and financial opportunities.
Attendance figures also tend to diverge, with FBS games generally drawing larger crowds, particularly for Power Five conference matchups. This difference in attendance reflects and reinforces the resource gap, as larger crowds contribute to greater revenue potential for FBS programs.
Ultimately, these distinctions between FBS and FCS create two different, yet compelling, versions of college football. While the FBS offers a more commercialized, high-profile version of the sport, the FCS provides a arguably more pure form of competition with its comprehensive playoff system. Both have their place in the college sports landscape, offering unique experiences for athletes, fans, and institutions alike. As college athletics continues to evolve, understanding these differences becomes crucial for appreciating the diverse tapestry of collegiate football in America.
