FCS-over-FBS Preseason Upset Alert

An FCS-over-FBS upset is one of the most exhilarating moments in sports. We think it’s up there with a 15-over-2, or a 16-over-1 upset in March Madness. With the transfer portal the “little brother” hasn’t had the “big brother’s” number as of late, but could that change this year? With a lot of high-caliber names returning to the FCS landscape there’s a potential we could see a number greater than the last year. This year sees FCS teams take on the FBS 127 times – a number that continues to grow since 2017.

Here are our Top 5 Preseason FCS-over-FBS upset alerts and others to keep an eye on.

Photo Credit: Rhode Island Athletics

1. Rhode Island at Temple | September 5 (Week 1)

Now, this matchup would turn some heads if it were played on the hardwood in the 1990s, but it’s turning our heads as the top FCS-over-FBS upset alert game on the gridiron. The high-powered offense of Rhode Island will go up against a Temple defense that only returns two starters per CBS Sports. Plus, Rhode Island will already have a game under its belt thanks to Week 0, and the Owls could be looking past the season opener against the Rams since they are hosting Penn State on September 12 for the first time in 11 seasons. If the Rams defense can hold up, then they’ve got a real shot to stun the Owls.

2. Montana State at Nevada | September 12 (Week 2)

Montana State is THE team this year. The unanimous No. 1 FCS team in both polls has a great shot to knock off a Nevada team that has had better years. The only caveat is that current Nevada head coach, Jeff Choate, was at Montana State from 2016-2020 and turned that program around in his four seasons. At Nevada he’s only had six wins over two seasons and needed a go-ahead pick-six with less than 3 minutes to escape Sacramento State last year. The only reason it didn’t go number one was it just seems too easy, right? If this game is all over the media’s radar, surely, it’s on coach Choate’s and the Wolf Pack’s.

3. Southeastern Louisiana at ULM | September 19 (Week 3)

Southeastern Louisiana has a chance to earn two FBS victories this season when it takes on South Alabama in Week 1 and ULM in Week 3. With limited football resources, ULM is always a contender to move down to the FCS but has never pulled the trigger. The last time the the Warhawks tabbed six wins on the season was in 2018 – and defeated the Lions, 34-31. In fact, the last two times these teams have met the Warhawks have only won by a combined four points. We think the third time’s the charm for Southeastern Louisiana.

Photo Credit: Tarleton State Athletics

4. Tarleton State at Bowling Green | September 5 (Week 1)

Tarleton State is for real and they showed that last year when they went into to West Point and knocked off Army. It was the coming out for the party for the Texans and the standard remains the same this season when they face Bowling Green in Week 1. The Falcons have former Tennessee State head coach, Eddie George, at the helm and this team won’t be a pushover. However, Tarleton State played a game last season in Week 0 when Army didn’t and the same will happen this year. Could that make the difference? We think so.

 

5. Stony Brook at Ball State | September 12 (Week 2)

Who would think an FBS team on the schedule could be a get-right game for an FCS program? We’re not saying that’s the case here, but with two tough tests to open the season for Stony Brook (Delaware State and Lindenwood) it could be a chance to right the ship in preparation for the CAA opener against Rhode Island. Normally teams have a little extra juice for an FBS game, and we hope they don't overlook the Cardinals for a chance to show they are real CAA contenders.

Other Games to Keep an Eye On

Photo Credit: Daniel Boye | Sacred Heart Athletics

Sacred Heart at UMass | September 12 (Week 2)

This one was so close to making the Top 5, but history can’t repeat itself with UMass and another 0-12 season and a loss to another CAA school, right? It’s possible, and Sacred Heart has the team to do it. The only concern is that it’s not often that teams lose to an FCS school in back-to-back seasons. Matter of fact, it’s only happened five times over the last 15 seasons with the most recent happening in the 2022 and 2023 seasons to Nevada. Maybe history will repeat itself this season. We sure hope so.

Texas Southern at UTEP | September 12 (Week 2)

The SWAC is a tough league and there are a lot of great teams, but this game is the most likely for an upset for us. The Mountain West did not release a preseason poll, but Lindy’s had them picked to finish last and ranked them 132 out of 138 teams. They ranked 126 in returning production from last season with 35 percent. Plus, we like where this game falls for Texas Southern. It’s in between UTEP games against Oklahoma in Week 1 and Michigan in Week 3, so it could be the perfect trap game for the Tigers to show the world that the SWAC doesn’t mess around.

Illinois State at Northern Illinois | September 12 (Week 2)

The timing of this game for Illinois State is perfect as Northern Illinois travels to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes in Week 1 then travels to Tucson to face Arizona in Week 3, but they get the FCS runners-up in-between on September 12. This NIU team has had some down years and barely escaped Holy Cross, 19-17, to open the 2025 season – one of its three wins. The only reason we’re hesitant is that Illinois State didn’t have the best regular season performances last season and need to fill some major holes on the roster. Also, the Huskies might have a familiar name to FCS fans in Taron Dickens at gunslinger. Regardless, this one will be fun to watch.