This FCS football story, originally published in 2018, is revised this Valentine’s Day to spotlight key reasons why the Division I subdivision is loved by its community of fans.
Surely, your heart grows a little fonder around Valentine’s Day.
But just wait until you hear the first whistle in late August – that’s when you really fall in love.
FCS football is quite the love affair for its schools, teams, fans and alumni. It’s big time and a small-town feel wrapped together.
Here are five reasons to love football in the Division I subdivision – on Valentine’s Day and long past it.
The Players
The FCS isn’t quite a minor league for the NFL, so the majority of the players realize their careers are over after their senior season (well, you know, sixth or seventh season of eligibility). FCS players keep a little chip on their shoulder for being on the so-called “small school” level, and that’s a good motivator to keep the play high.
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Unlike many FBS stadiums, there’s an intimate feel in the FCS, where the venues are smaller and put fans right on top of the action. A Saturday afternoon with 6,000 friends surrounding the red turf of Eastern Washington or 30,000-plus at a festive Jackson State home game – while adding in tailgating, the bands, many smiles – offers a slice of Americana. By season’s end, over five million fans will attend games.
Community
You’re familiar with App State beating Michigan. You know all about North Dakota State quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance being selected near the top of the NFL Draft. Amid all the fun rivalries and trash talk, there’s the underdog scenario that pulls the FCS community together – from rooting for teams to upset FBS opponents to players battling their way onto pro rosters to rooting for the success of fellow FCS.
Conference Titles Still Matter
Try to name who won last season’s NFC South or NBA Northwest Division title. Yeah, then get ready to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the CAA, SoCon or another FCS conference champion. Like in other college sports, FCS teams make winning their conference title their first goal because everybody’s chasing the dream, and beating backyard rivals (hello, Cat-Griz) carries weight.
Playoffs
The FCS has separated itself on the Division I level with its playoff system. At 24 qualifiers, it’s still twice the size of the FBS and a source of pride for the subdivision. A team can go on the road and pull an upset (or four) like Illinois State. Or a team like Montana State can make its way back to the championship game and shine on the biggest stage (oh yes, a stroll onto Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee).
Happy Valentine’s Day. Take heart, the new FCS season is on its way.
Top photo from Montana Athletics. For more FCS football coverage, follow on social media at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
Way Past Valentine’s Day: Five Reasons to Love FCS Football Opta Analyst.
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