FBS football was dominated by SEC territory schools for what seemed like a century and now has migrated to the Midwest with Ohio State and Michigan. With FCS football, everything revolves around a territory that FBS fans aren’t familiar with. Three states – Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota – own FCS football. Can any school crash the party in 2025?
If any school has a chance of making a national statement this season, here are the five that are most likely:
Incarnate Word
The skinny: The Cardinals are coming off an 11-3 season and have gone 42-10 over the last four seasons. They have been the closest program to crash the party during this decade and once again seem capable of doing so. Word reloaded through the portal, bringing in numerous players on both sides of the ball who have been impactful and productive collegiate players. But it will likely come down to the quarterback. Zach Calzada transferred to Kentucky, so who will take over an offense that has been clicking since Cam Ward played for the Cardinals. There are a couple of viable options, but one of them needs to break away from the pack for Word to make their move in 2025.
UC Davis
The skinny: The Aggies were a pleasant surprise in 2024. They finished 11-3, beat Montana in the regular season and made it all the way to the national quarterfinals before losing to South Dakota. This season they avoid the Grizzlies, but do travel to Montana State in mid-November, in what could be a huge Big Sky Conference game. As with Incarnate Word, there is a question at quarterback that needs to be answered, but UC Davis does bring back several important pieces and added more through the portal.
Illinois State
The skinny: While the Redbirds’ season ended with a 42-10 loss in the second round of the playoffs to UC Davis, they do look poised to make a deeper run in 2025. They return one of the top quarterback/wide receiver duos in the country with Tommy Rittenhouse and Daniel Sobkowicz, along with All-American linebacker Tye Niekamp to lead the defense. But for them to take the next step they must find a way to beat North Dakota State and/or South Dakota State. They haven’t defeated the Bison since 2010 but have had a more recent win against the Jackrabbits in 2019. This season they play both, which isn’t optimal, but it does give them an opportunity to prove themselves against the best.
Rhode Island
The skinny: Unlike others on this list, Rhode Island doesn’t have to deal with any of the Montana or Dakota schools during the regular season. Plus, with the CAA in flux, this is an opportunity for the Rams to establish themselves as a top tier program in the conference. To help this happen, Rhode Island returns their quarterback, Devin Farrell, one of the top wide receivers in the country, Marquis Buchanan and All-American linebacker A.J. Pena. Not playing any elite competition during the regular season may prove to be a negative down the road, but overall it should put the Rams in a good position to make a run in the playoffs.
Sacramento State
The skinny: No FCS team is more polarizing than Sacramento State. And that is because of new head coach Brennan Marion, who has yet to coach a game but has already changed the dynamics of the program. He has helped the Hornets become a recruiting power in only a few months, both with high school recruits and through the portal. And with an abundance of talent arriving, it has made Sacramento State one of the most intriguing storylines in the country. Luckily nobody will have to wait very long to find out how legitimate the Hornets will be, as they open the season at South Dakota State. In Big Sky competition they host Montana and then finish the regular season with a trip to UC Davis.
