What does FCS mean in college football? Deep dive into NCAA guidelines

The NCAA has numerous popular FBS football programs with names such as the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines and Oregon Ducks standing out. These teams are perennial postseason contenders and are well known to casual football fans.

However, these programs aren't the only ones that play NCAA football. Some FCS teams play entertaining football and serve as springboards to the professional level.

With that in mind, let's examine what the FCS is and its importance in college football.

What does FCS mean in college football?

FCS stands for Football Championship Subdivision. FCS programs compete in the second-highest division of NCAA football and have an NCAA-approved national championship.

Among the FCS conferences are the Big Sky, Ivy League, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Northeast Conference, Missouri Valley, Southern and Southland Conferences, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Pioneer Football League and the United Athletic Conference. Other conferences, like the Big South-Ohio Valley and Colonial Athletic Conference, are affiliated with the FCS to participate in the playoffs. However, they're afforded a sole FCS playoff berth.

What is the FCS playoff structure?

There are 11 automatic bids for the FCS-caliber conferences, while the FCS playoff selection committee determines the 13 other spots. This selection system is similar to that obtained in the CFB before the recently expanded college football playoffs.

Eight programs will get first-round byes, with seeding for the final seeding determined by the selection committee.

North Dakota State is the most dominant FCS team

The North Dakota State Bison are history's most successful Football Championship Subdivision program. The Bison have won 10 national championships, with every win coming since 2011. The school has produced Carson Wentz, Jabril Cox and Trey Lance.

The Georgia Southern Eagles are in second place with six championships. They've since joined the FBS; their last FCS championship was in 2000.

Here are the past 20 FCS championship winners:

• 2024 - North Dakota State
• 2023 - South Dakota State
• 2022 - South Dakota State
• 2021 - North Dakota State
• 2020 - Sam Houston State
• 2019 - North Dakota State
• 2018 - North Dakota State
• 2017 - North Dakota State
• 2016 - James Madison
• 2015 - North Dakota State
• 2014 - North Dakota State
• 2013 - North Dakota State
• 2012 - North Dakota State
• 2011 - North Dakota State
• 2010 - Eastern Washington
• 2009 - Villanova
• 2008 - Richmond
• 2007 - Appalachian State
• 2006 - Appalachian State
• 2005 - Appalachian State

FCS teams might not have the massive budgets of their FBS counterparts. However, their presence is crucial in college football, including the occasional upset win over their more illustrious opponents.