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The FBS Gridiron

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Overview

The Pinnacle of Play

The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) represents the apex of collegiate American football in the United States. It comprises the largest institutions within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As of the 2025 season, the FBS includes ten conferences and 136 member institutions.

Economic Powerhouse

College football is a significant cultural and economic force, particularly in the U.S. Top FBS programs generate substantial annual revenue, often in the tens of millions of dollars. The largest stadiums in the nation, by capacity, are predominantly utilized by FBS teams.

NIL and Scholarships

Since July 1, 2021, student-athletes have been permitted to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Prior to this, compensation was limited to non-monetary benefits like athletic scholarships covering tuition, housing, and books. FBS teams are generally limited to 85 football scholarships.

Championship Structure

Unlike other NCAA divisions, the NCAA does not officially sanction a playoff tournament to determine an FBS football national champion. Historically, organizations like the Associated Press (AP) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) have voted to crown a champion. The current College Football Playoff (CFP) system, established in 2014 and expanded in 2025, serves as the de facto championship determination mechanism.

Season Structure

The Football Calendar

The FBS season commences in late August or early September and culminates in mid-January with the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Most teams play 12 regular-season games, typically facing eight or nine conference opponents.

Conference Championships

All nine active FBS conferences conclude their regular seasons with championship games. These contests determine the conference champion, often influencing playoff and bowl game invitations.

Bowl Games and Playoff

Following conference championships, 12 teams are selected for the College Football Playoff. The top four seeds receive byes, while the remaining eight compete in first-round games. The playoff progresses through the prestigious "New Year's Six" bowls, which rotate hosting semifinal and quarterfinal matchups, culminating in the National Championship game.

Scheduling Dynamics

FBS teams schedule non-conference games against various opponents, including those from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). A win against an FCS opponent counts for bowl eligibility only if the FCS team meets specific criteria. FBS teams must schedule five home games annually, with one neutral-site game potentially counting towards this requirement.

Historical Evolution

Foundational Eras

College football's origins trace back to 1869. Key developments include Walter Camp's innovations (line of scrimmage, downs system) and the introduction of the forward pass. The first bowl game, the Rose Bowl, occurred in 1902, with annual play beginning in 1916. The NCAA (initially IAAUS) formed in 1906 to enhance player safety.

Division Structure

The NCAA restructured into three divisions in 1973. Division I-A, the precursor to FBS, was established in 1978 to provide greater autonomy for larger programs, separating them from the I-AA (now FCS) level.

Television's Impact

Early radio broadcasts began in 1921, followed by television in 1939. NCAA-controlled broadcasts in the mid-20th century were limited. The 1981 Supreme Court ruling in NCAA v. Board of Regents decentralized television rights, allowing individual schools and conferences to negotiate contracts, significantly influencing conference realignment.

Attendance Trends

FBS football consistently draws large crowds, with average attendance figures often exceeding 40,000 per game. Conference attendance varies, with the SEC and Big Ten typically leading in average attendance.

NCAA Football Average Attendance
Conf. 1983 1993 2003 2014
SEC 64,842 62,789 74,059 77,694
Big Ten 67,471 63,535 70,198 66,869
Big 12 56,362 58,102
Pac-12 47,248 47,919 51,608 52,702
ACC 42,608 44,056 51,938 50,291
AAC 38,039 46,870 29,193
MW 32,809 25,254
CUSA 32,346 20,455
Sun Belt 14,352 18,294
MAC 17,351 14,252 17,820 15,431
FBS 42,162 41,281 44,877 44,603
FCS 10,844 8,599 7,739 8,310

Broadcast Landscape

Radio Roots

College football's presence on radio began in 1921, laying the groundwork for broader media coverage. Early broadcasts established the sport's reach beyond the stadium.

Television Transformation

The first television broadcast occurred in 1939. The NCAA initially controlled game airings, limiting appearances. The landmark 1981 Supreme Court decision granted television rights to individual institutions, fundamentally altering the sport's financial and structural landscape and fueling conference realignment.

Network Ecosystem

Major networks (ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC) and regional sports networks broadcast FBS games. Conferences increasingly operate their own networks (e.g., Big Ten Network, SEC Network), reflecting the sport's significant media value. Millions tune in annually, highlighting its status as a major spectator sport.

Conferences & Structure

Conference Alignments

Most FBS teams belong to one of ten conferences. These conferences are often categorized into the "Power Four" (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) and the "Group of Five" (American, CUSA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, Sun Belt). The Power Four conferences hold greater autonomy within NCAA regulations.

Membership Evolution

Conference membership has fluctuated significantly due to realignment. The number of conferences and member institutions has changed over decades, driven by media rights, competitive balance, and strategic expansion. As of 2025, there are 10 conferences and 136 teams.

FBS Conferences (2024-25 Season)
Conference Nickname Founded Football Members Sports Headquarters
American Conference American 1979 14 20 Irving, Texas
Atlantic Coast Conference† ACC 1953 17 27 Charlotte, North Carolina
Big 12 Conference† Big 12 1996 16 25 Irving, Texas
Big Ten Conference† Big Ten, B1G 1896 18 28 Rosemont, Illinois
Conference USA CUSA 1995 12 19 Dallas, Texas
Mid-American Conference MAC 1946 13 24 Cleveland, Ohio
Mountain West Conference MW 1999 12 19 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pac-12 Conference Pac-12 1915 2 6 San Ramon, California
Southeastern Conference† SEC 1932 16 22 Birmingham, Alabama
Sun Belt Conference SBC 1976 14 19 New Orleans, Louisiana
Independents 2

† Denotes a "Power Four" conference. Membership numbers are subject to change due to ongoing realignment.

Geographic Distribution

FBS teams are primarily located in the United States, with a notable concentration in certain regions like the South, Midwest, and West Coast. The distribution reflects historical conference alignments and population centers.

NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision is located in the United States
Illinois
Illinois
Minnesota
Minnesota
Michigan
Michigan
Purdue
Purdue
Chicago
Chicago
Northwestern
Northwestern
Ohio State
Ohio
State
Indiana
Indiana
Iowa
Iowa
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Missouri
Missouri
Nebraska
Nebraska
Maryland
Maryland
UNC
UNC
WFU
WFU
Duke
Duke
NC State
NC State
Virginia
Virginia
Clemson
Clemson
USC
USC
UCLA
UCLA
Stanford
Stanford
California
California
Washington
Washington
Washington State
Washington State
Oregon
Oregon
Oregon State
Oregon State
Georgia
Georgia
Kentucky
Kentucky
Alabama
Alabama
Mississippi State
Mississippi State
Florida
Florida
Ole Miss
Ole Miss
Houston
Houston
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
Texas A&M
Texas A&M
Baylor
Baylor
Texas
Texas
Arkansas
Arkansas
Rice
Rice
SMU
SMU
TCU
TCU
BYU
BYU
Wyoming
Wyoming
Arizona State
Arizona State
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
New Mexico
New Mexico
Colorado State
Colorado State
UTEP
UTEP
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Notre Dame
Notre
Dame
Boston College
Boston College
Memphis
Memphis
Penn State
Penn State
South Carolina
South
Carolina
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Tech
Florida State
Florida State
WVU
WVU
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech
Air Force
Air Force
Miami (FL)
Miami (FL)
Syracuse
Syracuse
Tulane
Tulane
  • App State : Appalachian State University
  • BC : Boston College
  • BGSU : Bowling Green State University
  • BSU : Ball State University
  • BYU : Brigham Young University
  • CCU : Coastal Carolina University
  • CMU : Central Michigan University
  • Duke: Duke University
  • ECU : East Carolina University
  • EMU : Eastern Michigan University
  • FAU : Florida Atlantic University
  • FIU : Florida International University
  • JMU : James Madison University
  • JSU : Jacksonville State University
  • LA Tech : Louisiana Tech University
  • LSU : Louisiana State University
  • MTSU : Middle Tennessee State University
  • NIU : Northern Illinois University
  • NMSU : New Mexico State University
  • ODU : Old Dominion University
  • PSU : Penn State University
  • SDSU : San Diego State University
  • SJSU : San Jose State University
  • SMU : Southern Methodist University
  • TCU : Texas Christian University
  • TXST : Texas State University
  • UAB : University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • UCF : University of Central Florida
  • UCLA : University of California, Los Angeles
  • UConn : University of Connecticut
  • ULM : University of Louisiana at Monroe
  • UMass : University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • UNC : University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • UNLV : University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  • USC : University of Southern California
  • USF : University of South Florida
  • UTSA : University of Texas at San Antonio
  • WFU : Wake Forest University
  • WKU : Western Kentucky University
  • WMU : Western Michigan University
  • WVU : West Virginia University

Individual & Coaching Accolades

Player Awards

Numerous awards recognize outstanding individual performance. The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious, honoring the nation's top player. Other key awards include the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Bednarik Award (defense), and numerous position-specific honors like the Davey O'Brien (QB) and Outland Trophy (lineman).

Coaching Recognition

Excellence in coaching is also celebrated. National awards like the AFCA Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Award, and AP Coach of the Year highlight outstanding leadership. Assistant coaches are recognized through awards such as the Broyles Award.

Championship Trophies

While the NCAA does not award a championship trophy, the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is presented to the winner of the playoff final. The AP and AFCA also award national championship trophies based on their respective polls.

Financial Landscape

Conference Revenue

FBS conferences generate substantial revenue, primarily from media rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships. The Power Four conferences, in particular, report revenues exceeding $1 billion annually, distributed among member institutions.

Conference Financials (2021-22)
Conference Total Revenue Total Expenses Reporting Members Revenue / Member Expense / Member Members Not Reporting
American Conference $423,910,145 $397,404,448 6 $70,651,691 $66,234,075 SMU, Temple, Tulane, Navy, Tulsa
Atlantic Coast Conference $1,072,193,980 $1,028,501,053 8 $134,024,248 $128,562,632 Boston College, Duke, Syracuse, Miami, Pitt, Wake Forest
Big 12 Conference $1,066,493,140 $1,016,951,340 8 $133,311,643 $127,118,918 Baylor, TCU
Big Ten Conference $2,041,265,014 $1,927,764,454 13 $157,020,386 $148,289,573 Northwestern
Conference USA $496,221,144 $493,252,353 13 $38,170,857 $37,942,489 Rice
Mid-American Conference $288,033,509 $282,855,157 9 $32,003,723 $31,428,351 Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo
Mountain West Conference $570,792,144 $555,080,056 11 $51,890,195 $50,461,823 Air Force
Pac-12 Conference $1,144,504,032 $1,163,840,847 10 $114,450,403 $116,384,085 Stanford, USC
Southeastern Conference $2,168,587,358 $2,044,850,233 13 $166,814,412 $157,296,172 Vanderbilt
Sun Belt Conference $335,515,775 $329,574,687 9 $37,279,531 $36,619,410 Louisiana–Monroe

Note: Data reflects reporting members; private institutions are often exempt from reporting. Figures are approximate and subject to change.

Operational Costs

While revenue is high, FBS athletic departments also face significant expenses, including coaching salaries, facility upgrades, travel, and scholarship costs. Many departments operate at a deficit, requiring subsidies from the broader university.

Conference Realignment

Historical Shifts

The FBS landscape has been shaped by numerous conference realignments since its inception. Major shifts occurred in the 1990s (formation of Big 12), early 2000s, and significantly in the 2010s and early 2020s, driven by media deals and competitive dynamics.

Recent Upheaval

The period from 2021-2024 saw unprecedented realignment. Key moves include Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC, major Pac-12 departures to the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC, and shifts within the American, CUSA, and Sun Belt conferences. These changes continue to reshape the competitive structure.

Future Outlook

Ongoing realignment continues, with further conference membership changes anticipated. The stability and structure of the FBS remain dynamic, influenced by media rights negotiations, playoff expansion, and institutional strategies.

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References

References

  1.  13 confirmed members in 2026 with loss of Texas State.
  2. 14 members no later than 2027 with addition of Louisiana Tech.
  3.  Note that "Independents" is not a conference; it is simply a designation used for schools whose football programs do not play in any conference. All of these schools have conference memberships for other sports.
  4.  Because the Pac-12 currently only has two members, it does not meet the minimum number of teams required to hold a conference championship game.
  5.  The 2006 Sugar Bowl was played in Atlanta, Georgia.
  6.  38 non-playoff bowl games, plus two playoff semifinal games in New Year's Six Bowls, plus the College Football Playoff National Championship
  7.  35 non-playoff bowl games, plus four first-round playoff games, plus six quarterfinal and semifinal playoff games in the New Year's Six Bowls, plus the College Football Playoff National Championship
  8.  Includes numbers for the Big East in 1993 and 2003.
  9.  This figure includes the two conferences that were Division I-A/Division I-AA hybrids, but does not include the I-AA schools in the member count.
  10.  Based on List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs
A full list of references for this article are available at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This content was generated by an AI and is based on information from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, it is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The dynamic nature of college sports means details such as conference membership and regulations can change rapidly.

This is not official NCAA advice. Information provided here should not substitute consultation with official NCAA resources or athletic department representatives. Always verify critical details through official channels.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.