The 2025-26 FCS playoffs have been a wild ride, honestly. The intensity and unpredictability are exactly why college football fans keep coming back for more.
This year’s 24-team bracket has thrown up some jaw-dropping matchups and upsets. Now, it all comes down to No. 2 Montana State and Illinois State, who’ll face off for the national championship.
The championship game is set for January 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, TN. Before then, let’s dig into the moments and players that made this playoff season unforgettable.
Overview of the 2025-26 FCS Playoffs
The FCS playoffs started on November 29 with a 24-team bracket. The top 16 teams were seeded, and the top eight got automatic byes to the second round.
The other 16 teams had to fight through the first round just to keep their seasons alive. This structure really keeps the quality high through every stage—there’s no room for coasting.
First Round Highlights
The first round? Pure chaos, in the best way. Underdogs stepped up and pulled off some wild wins:
- No. 9 Rhode Island 27, Central Connecticut State 19
- No. 12 Villanova 52, Harvard 7
- No. 10 Abilene Christian 38, Lamar 20
- No. 11 South Dakota 38, Drake 17
- North Dakota 31, No. 13 Tennessee Tech 6
- No. 14 South Dakota State 41, New Hampshire 3
- Illinois State 21, No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana 3
- Yale 43, No. 15 Youngstown St. 42
Second Round Showdowns
The second round didn’t slow down—upsets kept coming, and the bracket got seriously shaken up. Some of the most memorable games:
- No. 12 Villanova 14, No. 5 Lehigh 7
- No. 11 South Dakota 47, No. 6 Mercer 0
- No. 4 Tarleton State 31, North Dakota 13
- Illinois State 29, No. 1 North Dakota State 28
- No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 41, No. 10 Abilene Christian 34
- No. 2 Montana State 21, Yale 13
- No. 3 Montana 50, No. 14 South Dakota State 29
- No. 8 UC Davis 47, No. 9 Rhode Island 26
Quarterfinals and Semifinals
The quarterfinals and semifinals? Only the toughest teams left standing. In the quarterfinals:
- No. 2 Montana State 44, No. 7 Stephen F. Austin 28
- No. 12 Villanova 26, No. 4 Tarleton State 21
- No. 3 Montana 52, No. 11 South Dakota 22
- Illinois State 42, No. 8 UC Davis 31
The semifinals, played December 20, gave us our final two:
- No. 2 Montana State 48, No. 3 Montana 23
- Illinois State 30, No. 12 Villanova 14
Championship Game Preview
The stage is set for Monday, January 5, at 7:30 p.m. ET in Nashville. ESPN will have the broadcast, so you won’t miss a moment of No. 2 Montana State vs. Illinois State.
Both teams have shown grit and serious skill throughout the playoffs. If you’re into college football, this is one you just can’t skip.
Montana State’s Journey
Montana State has looked unstoppable at times. Their offense? Dynamic. The defense? Relentless.
They punched their ticket to the championship with a 48-23 win over No. 3 Montana. Keep an eye on their quarterback and that defensive line—they’ve been absolute game-changers.
Illinois State’s Road to the Final
Illinois State has been the surprise story, honestly. They weren’t supposed to make it this far, but here they are.
Their biggest moment was probably toppling No. 1 North Dakota State, 29-28, in the second round. Their balanced attack and tough defense have kept them alive, and now they’re just one win from the title.
Historical Context and Past Champions
With the season’s end in sight, it’s hard not to think about FCS history. North Dakota State has kind of owned the last decade, winning a bunch of titles—including a 35-32 win over Montana State in 2024.
South Dakota State grabbed back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. Here’s a quick rundown of the last ten years:
- 2024: North Dakota State (Champion), Montana State (Runner-Up)
- 2023: South Dakota State (Champion), Montana (Runner-Up)
- 2022: South Dakota State (Champion), North Dakota State (Runner-Up)
- 2021: North Dakota State (Champion), Montana State (Runner-Up)
- 2020: Sam Houston (Champion), South Dakota State (Runner-Up)
- 2019: North Dakota State (Champion), James Madison (Runner-Up)
- 2018: North Dakota State (Champion), Eastern Washington (Runner-Up)
- 2017: North Dakota State (Champion), James Madison (Runner-Up)
- 2016: James Madison (Champion), Youngstown State (Runner-Up)
- 2015: North Dakota State (Champion), Jacksonville State (Runner-Up)
If you want the full list of champions since 1978, check out the NCAA’s official page. There’s a lot of history there—maybe too much for one sitting, but it’s worth a scroll.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 FCS playoffs have been a wild ride for fans and players. That national championship game is almost here, and honestly, the anticipation is tough to ignore.
Some folks are all in for Montana State. Others are hoping Illinois State pulls off something special.
One thing feels certain: this final is going to stick in people’s memories. If you’ve followed the season, January 5 is circled on your calendar, right?
If you want to dig into the details or check out the full bracket, the NCAA’s official page has you covered.
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