Here at CFB Select we love the FCS. It has some of the grittiest football, bloodthirsty rivalries and genuine fanbases that the game has to offer. That being said, when an FCS program routinely dominates or, especially in todays game, has a sizeable bankroll, ultimately they will at least consider a move to College Football’s top division, FBS.

We’ve seen this happen successfully. James Madison, Jacksonville State, Sam Houston State – they’ve all recently made the leap and are carving out their place in the FBS. So, who’s next in line? We’ve scoured the FCS landscape to identify the programs that are not just winning, but building the infrastructure and support necessary to thrive in the big leagues. These aren’t just “good teams”; these are programs with the potential to truly ascend at the highest level.

Sacramento State Hornets

Renderings of Sacramento State’s New Stadium – Image Courtesy ABC10

The Hornets, currently battling in the competitive Big Sky Conference, have shown they’re serious about taking the next step, reportedly filing an application to transition to FBS as an independent starting in 2026. Their impressive 2022 season, going 11-0 in the regular season and defeating FBS Colorado State, proved their on-field prowess. Playing their home games at Hornet Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 21,195 (and is being renovated to fit 25,000), provides a solid foundation for future attendance requirements.

Tarleton State Texans

Tarleton State Football – Image Courtesy Underdog Dynasty

Currently playing in the United Athletic Conference (a merger between the Atlantic Sun and Western Athletic Conferences), Tarleton State is a relatively new kid on the block in FCS itself, transitioning from Division II just a few years ago. Despite their relatively short time at the FCS level, they’ve been quick to adapt and compete, making the 2024 FCS playoff and winning a game. Their home turf, Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas, currently houses 24,000, a healthy number for a potential transition.

Austin Peay Governors

Austin Peay Football – Image Courtesy Austin Peay Athletics

The Governors, also members of the United Athletic Conference, have consistently been a force in the FCS. They boast FCS Playoff appearances from 2019 and 2024 (including a Quarterfinal run in 2019). Their home stadium, Fortera Stadium, only holds 10,000 fans, but the program has the reflected the institutional support to potentially fundraise for an expansion. Austin Peay’s recent conference titles (in 2019, 2022 and 2023) and playoff successes highlight a program that knows how to win and is potentially ready for bigger challenges.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels

Eastern Kentucky Football – Image Courtesy NCAA

A historic program in the FCS, playing since 1891, Eastern Kentucky is currently in the United Athletic Conference. They boast two I-AA (now called FCS) National Championships (1979, 1982) and a staggering 22 conference titles. The commitment to football is evident in Richmond, and they boast the 20,000-seat Roy Kidd Stadium there. With this outstanding history and winning record, don’t you want to see what they could do at the FCS level?

Central Arkansas Bears

Central Arkansas and their purple turf – Image Courtesy NCAA

Another strong contender from the United Athletic Conference, Central Arkansas has a history of success in the FCS, with numerous conference championships (5 at the FCS level) and playoff berths (5). Their Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas (best known for its vibrant purple and grey stripes) offers a capacity of 12,000. But, it would be fun to see FBS programs play on this wild turf!

Rhode Island Rams

URI Football – Image Courtesy URI Athletics

The Rhode Island Rams, competing in the gritty Coastal Athletic Association, have shown flashes of brilliance and a recent uptick in performance, including a strong 2024 season that saw them reach the FCS Playoffs for the fourth time in program history. While their Meade Stadium has a smaller capacity at 6,555, being the flagship institution of an East Coast state has its advantages. The Rams are building momentum and could be an attractive option for a conference looking to expand its footprint into the Northeast TV Markets.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

South Dakota State Football – Image Courtesy Underdog Dynasty

Unsurprisingly, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits are a prime candidate. They appear in almost every discussion of this nature. Playing in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, they’ve dominated the FCS landscape, including back-to-back national titles in 2022 and 2023. Their impressive Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, with a capacity of 19,340, consistently draws strong attendance too. For South Dakota State (and their other Dakota State brethren), moving to FBS seems more like a matter of time than anything.

North Dakota State Bison

North Dakota State Football Winning the FCS Championship – Image Courtesy Argus Leader

Again, you knew both Dakota State schools would be on this list. If there’s an FCS dynasty, it’s the North Dakota State Bison. With an incredible 10 FCS National Championships since 2011, this Missouri Valley Football Conference powerhouse is the gold standard of FCS football. The Fargodome, their indoor home, seats 19,000 and is known for its electrifying atmosphere, making all of our must-attend lists. The only question for the Bison isn’t if they could compete in the FBS, but if they want to make the jump, as they already have plenty of FBS wins under their belt.

Think we missed a school? Let us know in the replies or on Twitter at @CFBSelect!

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