As the 2026 college football season kicks off, fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating some of the most thrilling matchups in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Week Zero, the official start of the season, promises high-stakes games that could set the tone for the rest of the year.
From defending conference champions to teams with new head coaches, these games bring plenty of storylines for football fans. Here’s a look at the top 10 FCS football games you shouldn’t miss in Week Zero.
Top Game: Prairie View A&M vs. Tarleton State
Leading the pack is the showdown between Prairie View A&M and Tarleton State. The game features a defending conference champion in the Panthers and a preseason top-five team in the Texans.
Both teams have plenty riding on this matchup. Prairie View A&M wants to bounce back from a heartbreaking Celebration Bowl defeat, while Tarleton State hopes to recover from its disappointing loss in last year’s FCS quarterfinals.
A win could push Prairie View into the conversation for the nation’s best HBCU football team and showcase the quick turnaround under head coach Tremain Jackson. For Tarleton, a victory would reaffirm its status as a national championship contender.
Abilene Christian vs. Lamar: A Playoff Rematch
Abilene Christian visits Lamar in a rematch of their 2025 first-round FCS playoff game. This time, ACU plays on the road, adding another layer to this ranked battle.
Both teams want to return to the playoffs this fall, and a win could provide a crucial boost to their at-large resumes. The stakes are high because a quality nonconference victory gives either team some room for a potential slip-up in conference play later in the season.
Tennessee Tech vs. Monmouth: A Test for New Faces
Tennessee Tech, another playoff team from last year, will face a new-look Monmouth team. Monmouth will have a new head coach for the first time in program history, Jeff Gallo.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Tech will compete in a new conference, the SoCon. A Week Zero win for either team would send a strong message to the rest of the FCS and show that it belongs in the discussion with the subdivision’s best.
A loss, though, could raise questions about whether 2026 will become a transition year for either program.
William & Mary vs. Villanova: A Rivalry with a Twist
A long-standing FCS rivalry gets an added twist when William & Mary faces Villanova in Week Zero. Both former CAA teams have joined the Patriot League this fall, making their conference debut against a familiar foe.
This rivalry game carries more importance than usual. Neither team wants to start conference play at 0-1, and that adds even more pressure to a matchup that already brings plenty of excitement.
MEAC/SWAC Challenge: Alabama A&M vs. Howard
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge used to be one of the only FCS games that opened the year. This season, Alabama A&M and Howard will meet in Atlanta for another exciting matchup.
Both teams look evenly matched on paper, and the winner could build momentum toward a potential Celebration Bowl run. The game may set the tone for two middling HBCU teams hoping to make a significant impact this season.
West Florida vs. Southern Illinois: FCS Debut
Former Division II power West Florida makes its FCS debut against a Southern Illinois team with playoff expectations. The Salukis boast one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the FCS, DJ Williams.
Week Zero gives West Florida an immediate test of whether it can continue its winning ways while moving up a level. Fans will want to see how well the Argonauts adapt to the FCS.
Stony Brook vs. Delaware State: Year Two for DeSean Jackson
Stony Brook is projected to finish in the CAA’s top five this fall and even received a first-place vote in the conference’s preseason poll. Delaware State is coming off its best season in years as it begins year two under head coach DeSean Jackson.
Last year, DSU faced nonconference opponents such as UAlbany, Saint Francis, and Sacred Heart. Stony Brook presents a much bigger test this season, offering an early sign of whether Coach Jackson’s program is ready to climb the FCS tier list.
South Dakota vs. Central Connecticut State: Playoff Teams Clash
South Dakota and Central Connecticut State both reached the playoffs last year. This matchup ranks lower on the list because it doesn’t feature two ranked teams.
Still, don’t underestimate Central Connecticut State. The Blue Devils have made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and lost by only one possession in both first-round games.
South Dakota enters the game with a different head coach for the third straight season. That makes this a quality nonconference battle where almost anything can happen.
Chattanooga vs. West Georgia: A Conference Assessment
Chattanooga visits West Georgia in a matchup between the SoCon and UAC. The Mocs received nine votes in the coaches poll, while the Wolves earned 25 votes in the Stats Perform poll.
Both teams sit near the edge of the top 25. While UWG can’t make the FCS playoffs this year, this nonconference clash could help shape the assessment of conference strength when November arrives.
Alabama State vs. Southern: HBCU Football’s Top Team
This matchup features arguably the top team in HBCU football, Alabama State, against one of the newest coaches in the sport at Southern. Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk leads the Jaguars into Birmingham to face reigning HBCU Player of the Year Andrew Body and the Hornets.
The two schools will meet at a neutral site to open the season. Both teams play in the SWAC, but this game counts as a nonconference contest, adding another layer of intrigue to an already exciting matchup.
For more details on these exciting matchups, be sure to check out the full article on the top 10 FCS football games in Week Zero.
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