Most Anticipated Games from Each Conference for the 2026 Season
- fcsuntapped
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
Conference play just means more at the FCS level. All teams from 11 conferences get a chance to earn their spot in the NCAA FCS Playoffs and the other two conferences can secure a spot in the Cricket Celebration Bowl to compete for an HBCU National Championship. There’s so much on the line in conference play and the games are so fun to watch.
Take a look at our pick for the top conference game from each conference and why we picked that game in three sentences or less.
Big Sky | Montana at Montana State (November 21)
It’s the Brawl of the Wild. Two of the top three teams in the FCS. A chance for the No. 1 seed in the FCS Playoffs could be on the line.
CAA | Monmouth at New Hampshire (October 17)
Rhode Island is a heavy favorite and these two teams will be vying for a spot in the playoffs. The winner of this one gives themselves a leg up for the committee.
Ivy League | Yale vs Harvard (November 21)
It’s The Game being played at Fenway Park. Need we say more?
MEAC | North Carolina Central at South Carolina State (November 14)
Four of the last five seasons have seen this game end within seven points. All four of those games were won by South Carolina State. Can the Eagles go into Orangeburg and win for the first time since 2018?
Missouri Valley | Youngstown State at Southern Illinois (October 3)
Beau Brungard vs DJ Williams. Reigning Walter Payton Award winner vs hopeful Walter Payton Award winner. Brungard won last year’s battle – will that be the case this year?
NEC | Central Connecticut State at Long Island (November 14)
Two of our favorites to win the NEC. This could be a play-in game for the FCS Playoffs. CCSU has a title to defend.
Ohio Valley | Lindenwood at UT Martin (November 14)
There’s not a clear number two behind UT Martin, but we think Lindenwood could be that team. Depending on what SEMO has to say, these two teams could be competing for an OVC title in Week 11.
Patriot League | Lehigh at Villanova (October 24)
New Patriot League member meets founding Patriot League member in a defensive slugfest with a title on the line. The winner of this one makes a strong case for a top 8 seed in the playoffs.
Pioneer League | San Diego at Dayton (October 24)
FCS Untapped favorite, Dayton, will take on PFL Coaches’ Poll favorite, Sand Diego, inside Welcome Stadium. Dayton has lost to San Diego eight of the last 10 times. That’s going to need to change if they want to win the Pioneer League.
SoCon | Furman at Mercer (September 12)
For now, the SoCon has two teams in our playoff projections, Furman and Tennessee Tech. Mercer can play their way in with a head-to-head win over the Paladins. What a big game in Week 2.
Southland | Southeastern Louisiana at Stephen F. Austin (October 24)
These two teams didn’t meet last year and finished number 1 and 2 in the standings. Now every Southland team will play each other. This one has the potential to be for the Southland title and a top 8 playoff seed.
SWAC | Prairie View A&M at Alabama State (November 21)
Do we get a SWAC Championship preview just two weeks before it happens? Alabama State has a tough schedule but with a 10-2 record last year and no postseason play, the revenge tour could be coming. The reigning SWAC Champion, PV, might stop that revenge tour dead in its tracks.
UAC | Abilene Christian at Tarleton State (November 7)
Will this be the year that Tarleton State can win the UAC outright? In recent years only one team has stood in their way - Abilene Christian.
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