One of the most fun corners of the college football odds market is the annual run of FCS vs. FBS matchups.
FBS teams enjoy unique advantages over their FCS counterparts. The games are nearly always at home, and in most cases, they have far more resources at their disposal.
Nevertheless, there are always a few cases each year where an FCS team jumps up and beats an FBS opponent in spite of the advantages in their favor.
In 2026, fans have already seen two FCS-over-FBS wins, beginning with Bowling Green’s loss to Tarleton on March 5.
FCS vs. FBS Upsets: Full List of FCS Upsets Since 2016
| Date | FCS Winner | FBS Loser | Final Score |
| 9/5/2026 | The Citadel | Charlotte | 43-41, 3OT |
| 9/5/2026 | Tarleton | Bowling Green | 20-13 |
| 9/6/2025 | Bryant | UMass | 27-26 |
| 9/6/2025 | LIU | Eastern Michigan | 28-23 |
| 8/30/2025 | Austin Peay | Middle Tennessee | 34-14 |
| 8/29/2025 | Tarleton | Army | 30-27 |
| 9/28/2024 | UT-Martin | Kennesaw State | 24-13 |
| 9/21/2024 | Monmouth | Florida International | 45-42 |
| 9/7/2024 | Southern Utah | UTEP | 27-24 |
| 9/7/2024 | Idaho | Wyoming | 17-13 |
| 9/7/2024 | Saint Francis (PA) | Kent State | 23-17 |
| 8/24/2024 | Montana State | New Mexico | 35-31 |
| 9/16/2023 | Sacramento State | Stanford | 30-23 |
| 9/9/2023 | Idaho | Nevada | 33-6 |
| 9/9/2023 | Fordham | Buffalo | 40-37 |
| 9/9/2023 | Southern Illinois | Northern Illinois | 14-11 |
| 9/24/2022 | Sacramento State | Colorado State | 41-10 |
| 9/17/2022 | Southern Illinois | Northwestern | 31-24 |
| 9/10/2022 | Weber State | Utah State | 35-7 |
| 9/10/2022 | UIW | Nevada | 55-41 |
| 9/10/2022 | Holy Cross | Buffalo | 37-31 |
| 9/10/2022 | Eastern Kentucky | Bowling Green | 59-57, 7OT |
| 9/3/2022 | Delaware | Navy | 14-7 |
| 9/2/2022 | William & Mary | Charlotte | 41-24 |
| 11/13/2021 | Maine | UMass | 35-10 |
| 11/06/2021 | Rhode Island | UMass | 35-22 |
| 9/18/2021 | Northern Arizona | Arizona | 21-19 |
| 9/18/2021 | UIW | Texas State | 42-34 |
| 9/11/2021 | Jacksonville State | Florida State | 20-17 |
| 9/11/2021 | Duquesne | Ohio | 28-26 |
| 9/4/2021 | East Tennessee State | Vanderbilt | 23-3 |
| 9/4/2021 | Montana | No. 20 Washington | 13-7 |
| 9/4/2021 | Holy Cross | UConn | 38-28 |
| 9/3/2021 | South Dakota State | Colorado State | 42-23 |
| 9/2/2021 | Eastern Washington | UNLV | 35-33, 2OT |
| 9/2/2021 | UC Davis | Tulsa | 19-17 |
| 2/21/2021 | Tarleton State | New Mexico State | 43-17 |
| 10/23/2020 | Jacksonville State | Florida International | 19-10 |
| 9/14/2019 | The Citadel | Georgia Tech | 27-24, OT |
| 9/7/2019 | Southern Illinois | UMass | 45-20 |
| 8/29/2019 | Central Arkansas | Western Kentucky | 35-28 |
| 9/22/2018 | Illinois State | Colorado State | 35-19 |
| 9/8/2018 | Maine | Western Kentucky | 31-28 |
| 9/2/2018 | North Carolina A&T | East Carolina | 28-23 |
| 9/1/2018 | Villanova | Temple | 19-17 |
| 9/1/2018 | Northern Arizona | UTEP | 30-10 |
| 9/1/2018 | Nicholls State | Kansas | 26-23, OT |
| 8/30/2018 | UC Davis | San Jose State | 44-38 |
| 9/23/2017 | Western Illinois | Coastal Carolina | 52-10 |
| 9/16/2017 | North Carolina A&T | Charlotte | 35-31 |
| 9/16/2017 | Idaho State | Nevada | 30-28 |
| 9/9/2017 | South Dakota | Bowling Green | 35-27 |
| 9/9/2017 | New Hampshire | Georgia Southern | 22-12 |
| 9/2/2017 | Liberty | Baylor | 48-45 |
| 9/2/2017 | James Madison | East Carolina | 34-14 |
| 9/2/2017 | Howard | UNLV | 43-40 |
| 8/31/2017 | Tennessee State | Georgia State | 17-10 |
| 9/24/2016 | Western Illinois | Northern Illinois | 28-23 |
| 9/24/2016 | Central Arkansas | Arkansas State | 28-23 |
| 9/17/2016 | North Dakota State | Iowa | 23-21 |
| 9/10/2016 | North Carolina A&T | Kent State | 39-36, 4OT |
| 9/10/2016 | Illinois State | Northwestern | 9-7 |
| 9/10/2016 | Eastern Illinois | Miami (OH) | 21-17 |
| 9/3/2016 | Richmond | Virginia | 37-20 |
| 9/3/2016 | Northern Iowa | Iowa State | 25-20 |
| 9/3/2016 | Eastern Washington | Washington State | 45-42 |
| 9/2/2016 | Albany | Buffalo | 22-16 |
How Many FBS Teams Have Lost to FCS Teams This Season?
Two FCS teams beat an FBS program in 2026: Tarleton and The Citadel.
Which FCS Conference Wins the Most FBS Games?
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Big Sky has scored 24 FCS-over-FBS upsets – more than any other FCS conference.
FCS Football Betting
If you’re looking for more insight into how to bet FCS football games – and, more specifically, FCS/FBS upsets – make sure to check out this podcast episode with FCS expert Sam Herder and myself.
Listen to “Chase Kiddy Chats FCS Betting + Week 2 Recap, Week 3 Top Games” on Spreaker.
Herder is the host of FCS Football Talk, and he invited me on in 2022 for a lengthy discussion on why FCS games can be so lucrative – if hard to find – in the larger college football odds market.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
