Are FCS vs. Power Four upsets extinct? The college football landscape is shifting, and the gap between the FBS and FCS is widening. Power conference teams have won 125 straight games against FCS competition, with the last upset occurring in 2023. This trend is largely driven by the transfer portal and NIL, making it harder for FCS programs to retain their best players. However, the potential for an upset remains, and there are six games in 2026 that could end the drought. South Dakota State at Northwestern, Youngstown State at Kentucky, North Dakota at Nebraska, Tennessee Tech at Mississippi State, Austin Peay at Vanderbilt, and Monmouth at West Virginia are all potential flashpoints. Each of these games presents a unique opportunity for an upset, and the FCS teams have the talent to make it happen. However, the Power Four teams have the advantage of experience and depth, making these games even more intriguing. The outcome of these games will have a significant impact on the college football landscape, and the potential for an upset is what makes these games so exciting. Personally, I think that the FCS teams have a real chance to pull off an upset, but it will take a near-perfect alignment and a bit of luck. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for a shift in the power dynamics of college football. If an FCS team were to pull off an upset, it would be a major turning point and could lead to a reevaluation of the current system. From my perspective, the college football landscape is evolving, and the potential for an upset is a reflection of that. One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of the transfer portal and NIL in shaping the current landscape. What many people don't realize is that the FCS teams have the talent to compete with the Power Four, and it's up to the coaches and players to make the most of it. If you take a step back and think about it, the potential for an upset is a reminder that anything can happen in college football. This raises a deeper question: How can we ensure that all teams, regardless of their conference, have an equal opportunity to compete? A detail that I find especially interesting is the impact of the transfer portal on the FCS teams. What this really suggests is that the current system is not as stable as it seems, and there is room for improvement. In conclusion, the potential for an FCS upset over a Power Four team in 2026 is a fascinating development in college football. It presents an opportunity for a shift in the power dynamics and a reevaluation of the current system. The outcome of these games will have a significant impact on the future of college football, and the potential for an upset is what makes these games so exciting.
