Every Week 1 FCS vs. FBS Game: Who's Going To Cause A Major Upset?

Here's every FCS vs. FBS matchup happening in week 1 of the college football season.

Sep 4, 2026 by Tobias Linkin

Every Week 1 FCS vs. FBS Game: Who's Going To Cause A Major Upset?

Every college football season, the first three weeks brings the opportunity for FCS teams to shock the world against an FBS opponent.

Four FCS schools picked up wins against an FBS team last year, and the 2026-2027 college football season brings plenty of FCS vs. FBS matchups that are very competitive on paper.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, fans nearly saw the first FCS vs. FBS upset of the season between Albany and Buffalo, but the Bulls were able to escape with a late touchdown to avoid giving the Great Danes their second ever FBS win (the first also came against Buffalo in 2016).

Which FCS teams will make history in week 1? Here is every FCS vs. FBS matchup this weekend.

UPCOMING

2026 Sacred Heart vs Monmouth

Tomorrow · 6:00 PM UTC

WATCH

Thursday, Sept. 3

Utah 66 - Idaho 14
Missouri 54 - Arkansas Pine-Bluff 14
UCF 73 - Bethune-Cookman 6
Delaware 42 - Merrimack 7
Kennesaw State 47 - West Georgia 0
Buffalo 21 - Albany 17
Minnesota 59 - East Illinois 7

Friday, Sept. 4

Indiana State vs. Purdue - 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina A&T vs. Georgia State - 7 p.m. ET
Long Island vs. Kansas - 8 p.m. ET

Saturday, Sept. 5

New Hampshire vs. Syracuse - 12 p.m. ET
Lafayette vs. UConn - 12 p.m. ET
Bryant vs. Army - 12 p.m. ET
Tarleton State vs. Bowling Green - 12 p.m. ET
Youngstown State vs. Kentucky - 1 p.m. ET
SEMO vs. Iowa State - 1 p.m. ET
Duquesne vs. Air Force - 1 p.m. ET
Rhode Island vs. Temple - 2 p.m. ET
Furman vs. Tennessee - 3:30 p.m. ET
The Citadel vs. Charlotte - 3:30 p.m. ET
Towson vs. Navy - 3:30 p.m. ET
UTRGV vs. UTSA - 3:30 p.m. ET
Fordham vs. NDSU - 3:30 p.m. ET
Maine vs. Appalachian State - 3:30 p.m. ET
North Alabama vs. Arkansas - 4:15 p.m. ET
Alcorn State vs. Southern Mississippi - 5:00 p.m. ET
Norfolk State vs. Old Dominion - 6:00 p.m. ET
Abilene Christian vs. Texas Tech - 7:00 p.m. ET
Austin Peay vs. Vanderbilt - 7 p.m. ET
Nicholls State vs. Kansas State - 7 p.m. ET
Idaho State vs. Utah State - 7 p.m. ET
Houston Christian vs. Rice - 7 p.m. ET
Murray State vs. Middle Tennessee - 7 p.m. ET
Charleston Southern vs. Georgia Southern - 7 p.m. ET
Southeast Louisiana vs. South Alabama - 7 p.m. ET
VMI vs. Virginia Tech - 7:30 p.m. ET
Northwestern State vs. Louisiana Tech - 7:30 p.m. ET
Utah Tech vs. BYU - 8:00 p.m. ET
Hampton vs. Maryland - 8 p.m. ET
South Dakota State vs. Northwestern - 8 p.m. ET
Lamar vs. Louisiana - 8 p.m. ET
Mercyhurst vs. New Mexico State - 9 p.m. ET
Portland State vs. San Diego State - 9:30 p.m.
Morgan State vs. Arizona State - 10:00 p.m. ET
Mississippi Valley State vs. Sacramento State - 10:00 p.m. ET

FBS vs. FCS: What's The Difference Between The Two Divisions?

Both FBS and FCS schools operate under the NCAA Division I banner, so what's the difference between the two subdivisions?

The FCS and FBS have different playoff systems. The FBS has the College Football Playoff, a 12-team format in which the four conference champions from power conferences receive automatic bids. The FCS uses a 24-team format, with the top eight seeds receiving a bye to the second round.

FBS and FCS schools also have different rules for giving athletic scholarships. FCS conference such as the Ivy League and Pioneer League do not give athletic scholarships to players.

How To Watch FCS, D2 And D3 Football In 2026

Hundreds of FCS, Division 2 and Division 3 football games will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.

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