USC among 13 FBS teams not facing FCS opponents in 2026
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 2:30 AM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
As the 2026 college football season approaches, only 13 out of 138 FBS teams will not compete against FCS teams. USC is the only FBS team since 1978 that has not faced an FCS opponent. Despite a scheduled matchup against UC-Davis in 2019, the game was canceled due to fan backlash. This year, Big Ten teams, including Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State, also join USC in avoiding FCS competition. With the season set to kick off, these teams have diversified their non-conference schedules to include only fellow FBS opponents.
- •Only 13 FBS teams scheduled not to play FCS opponents in 2026.
- •USC remains the only FBS team never to compete against an FCS team.
- •Cancellation of the USC vs. UC-Davis game cost $725,000.
- •Big Ten teams like Michigan and Ohio State also avoid FCS matchups.
- •Diversified non-conference schedules are becoming more common.
- 2:30 AMYahoo Sports — Only 13 Of 138 FBS Teams Will Not Play An FCS Team In 2026
"The 2026 college football season will be the 49th since Division I split into two levels, I-A and I-AA. Only the USC Trojans have not played an FCS program.
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