Why do fcs teams play fbs

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: FCS teams play FBS teams primarily for financial incentives, competitive exposure, and recruiting opportunities. These games, often called "guarantee games" or "buy games," provide FCS programs with substantial payouts averaging $400,000-$600,000 per game, which can fund up to 20% of their athletic budgets. The matchups also offer FBS teams easier wins to help them achieve bowl eligibility, with FCS opponents counting toward the 6-win requirement since 2006. Historically, these games have produced occasional upsets, like Appalachian State's famous 2007 victory over #5 Michigan.

Key Facts

FCS teams receive average payouts of $400,000-$600,000 per game against FBS opponents
FCS wins count toward FBS bowl eligibility requirements established in 2006
Appalachian State's 2007 upset of #5 Michigan was the first FCS-over-FBS win against a ranked opponent
FCS programs can fund 15-20% of their athletic budgets through these guarantee games
There are approximately 100 FCS-vs-FBS matchups scheduled annually during the regular season

Overview

The practice of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams playing Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents has become an established feature of college football since the NCAA's divisional restructuring in 1978. Originally called Division I-AA (FCS) and Division I-A (FBS), these classifications created a clear hierarchy with FBS schools having larger budgets, more scholarships (85 vs. 63), and greater media exposure. The first official FCS-over-FBS upset occurred in 1982 when William & Mary defeated Temple 24-14, but the practice gained significant attention after Appalachian State's historic 34-32 victory over #5 Michigan in 2007. Today, these matchups typically occur during the first three weeks of the season, with FBS schools scheduling them as non-conference games that don't affect their conference standings. The arrangement has evolved into a structured system where FCS programs actively seek these games for financial survival, while FBS programs use them to pad their win totals and generate home game revenue.

How It Works

The scheduling process for FCS-FBS games operates through formal contracts negotiated years in advance, typically involving guaranteed payments from the FBS school to the FCS opponent. These "guarantee games" or "buy games" require the FCS team to travel to the FBS school's stadium, with payments ranging from $300,000 for smaller FBS programs to over $1 million for Power Five conferences. The NCAA's bowl eligibility rules, revised in 2006, allow FBS teams to count one win against an FCS opponent toward their required six wins for bowl consideration, provided the FCS team meets scholarship requirements (awarding at least 90% of the FCS maximum 63 scholarships). FCS teams use these funds to support their entire athletic departments, with some programs scheduling multiple FBS games per season. The games are typically one-off arrangements without return trips, though occasional home-and-home series occur, such as North Dakota State's games against Minnesota in 2007 and 2011.

Why It Matters

These matchups have significant financial and competitive implications for both levels of college football. For FCS programs, the revenue from guarantee games often represents their largest single source of athletic department funding, helping maintain scholarships, facilities, and other sports. For FBS programs, these games provide almost-certain victories that help them reach bowl eligibility while generating additional ticket and concession revenue from home games. The occasional upsets, like James Madison's 21-16 win over Virginia Tech in 2010 or Eastern Washington's 45-42 victory over Oregon State in 2013, demonstrate the competitive parity that can exist and give FCS programs national exposure that aids recruiting. The system also creates scheduling flexibility, allowing FBS teams to fill their non-conference schedules while providing FCS players the unique experience of competing in major stadiums against nationally-ranked opponents.