FCS vs. FBS Games In 2023: Full Schedule This Season

Longtime readers know I love FCS football. Even more, I love the history of FCS-over-FBS upsets (#FearTheFCS) and the value of big FCS point spreads.

I’ll look anywhere for value when it comes to college football odds!

Biggest FCS vs. FBS Games in 2023

I’ve taken the liberty of putting every single FCS vs. FBS game of the 2023 season in a big spreadsheet at the bottom of the page. You can check that out if you’re just here to data mine or plan college football bets.

You can also check out my updated list of FCS vs. FBS upsets, which goes all the way back to 2012 and is updated regularly. 

In the meantime, here’s a quick look at some of the biggest games on the docket for this upcoming season:

Holy Cross vs. Boston College (Week 2)

It’s the battle for Massachusetts football, and don’t be so quick to write in the big boys. Bob Chesney’s Holy Cross program has built itself into a Patriot League goliath, earning a seeded position in last year’s FCS playoffs. 

In September, the Crusaders will take aim at big brother in Boston, and Chesney’s boys likely have the grit and talent to put up a real fight. 

BC was 3-9 last year, which also doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.

Idaho vs. Cal (Week 3)

Idaho is one of the clearest cautionary tales that college football has for blind FBS ambition. The Vandals were a hot FCS commodity that moved up to find absolute irrelevance. 

But give the head brass at Idaho a lot of credit for doing what many programs never would – admitting their mistake and moving back to the FCS, where the program can thrive once again. (Looking at you, UMass.)

Idaho has returned to its once-perennial top-10 spot in FCS football, which makes it a dangerous upstart rather than a rudderless G5 mark. That makes the Vandals a dangerous opponent for Cal, which has now posted three straight losing seasons.

Sacramento State vs. Stanford (Week 3)

Is Sac State actually the best team in northern California? We’ll get a head-to-head data point in mid-September when the reigning Big Sky champs take on slumping Stanford, which is just 14-28 over the last four seasons. 

Stanford has rarely played (and never lost to) FCS programs during David Shaw’s tenure; Sacramento State beat FBS Colorado State by 31 points last season. 

William & Mary vs. Virginia (Week 6)

I’ve watched FBS football explode in Virginia over the last decade, with ODU, Liberty, and James Madison all moving up. The latter two found quick success; it’s fair to say that Virginia may be the third or fourth-best college football program in the state right now.

UVA will play its home opener against James Madison this year, and the Cavaliers may well be a home dog to the Dukes. I’m pretty biased – I graduated from JMU in 2014 – but I’m expecting a road win for Madison. 

A loss would put an awful lot of regional pressure on UVA for its Oct. 7 game against William & Mary – its second of three games against intra-state foes this year. (The third, of course, is the Commonwealth Cup game against Virginia Tech on Nov. 25.)

While a nerds-versus-nerds game between UVA and William & Mary would normally be nothing to fear for Cavs fans, the Tribe have rebuilt themselves into a dangerous FCS team over the last couple of years. They’re No. 7 in the HERO Sports FCS preseason Top 25. 

Oh, and who’s that leading William & Mary? Why, it’s former UVA head coach Mike London, who was forced out of Charlottesville eight years ago. 

FCS vs. FBS Games In 2023: The Full List