Everything You Need To Know About College Football Divisions

College football in the United States is organized into several divisions and subdivisions, each with its own set of schools, conferences, and competitive levels. Here’s a breakdown of the primary divisions:

1. NCAA Division I (D-I)
   • Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS): Formerly known as Division I-A, the FBS is the highest level of college football. Schools in this subdivision offer the most athletic scholarships and have larger budgets, more advanced facilities, and more athletic staff than other divisions. Teams compete in bowl games at the end of the season.
     • Examples: University of Alabama, Ohio State University, University of Oklahoma.
   • Football Championship Subdivision (FCS): Previously known as Division I-AA, the FCS is a step below the FBS in terms of athletic competition. Schools in the FCS offer fewer athletic scholarships than FBS schools. Instead of bowl games, teams compete in a playoff system to determine the national champion.
     • Examples: North Dakota State University, James Madison University, Montana State University.
2. NCAA Division II (D-II)
   • Schools in D-II place a greater emphasis on balancing athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities. While they still compete at a high level, they offer fewer athletic scholarships than D-I schools. The division has its own playoff system to determine a national champion.
     • Examples: Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, University of West Florida.
3. NCAA Division III (D-III)
   • D-III schools place the greatest emphasis on the overall college experience of the student-athlete. These institutions do not offer athletic scholarships, but they do have competitive football programs. Like D-II, D-III has its own playoff system to crown a national champion.
     • Examples: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Mount Union University, St. John’s University (Minnesota).
4. NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
   • The NAIA is an alternative to the NCAA and has its own set of rules and championships. Schools in the NAIA offer athletic scholarships, but typically on a smaller scale than NCAA D-I or D-II institutions. The NAIA has its own football championship game.
     • Examples: Morningside College, Marian University (Indiana), Lindsey Wilson College.
5. NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)
   • The NJCAA governs athletics for community colleges and junior colleges. These institutions often serve as stepping stones for student-athletes who wish to transfer to four-year colleges. The NJCAA has its own divisions and football championship games.
     • Examples: East Mississippi Community College, Garden City Community College, Iowa Western Community College.
6. Club Football and Other Associations
   • Some colleges and universities that don’t have official varsity football teams might have club football teams. These teams aren’t governed by the NCAA or NAIA and don’t offer athletic scholarships. They compete against other club teams or smaller collegiate associations.

Each division and subdivision offers a unique experience for student-athletes, ranging from the high-pressure, high-visibility world of D-I FBS football to the more balanced approach of D-III and club football. The right fit depends on the individual’s athletic ability, academic goals, and personal preferences.

Deep Dive into FBS Division

The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A, represents the highest level of college football competition in the United States. Here’s a deeper dive into the FBS:

1. Overview:
   • The FBS is one of two subdivisions within NCAA Division I, the other being the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
   • As of my last update in 2021, the FBS comprises 130 member schools.
   • The name “Bowl” refers to the postseason bowl games that FBS teams participate in, as opposed to the playoff system used in the FCS.
2. Conferences:
   • The FBS schools are divided into ten conferences, each with its own schedule and championship. The “Power Five” conferences are considered the most prestigious and include:
     • Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
     • Big Ten Conference
     • Big 12 Conference
     • Pac-12 Conference
     • Southeastern Conference (SEC)
   • The “Group of Five” conferences include:
     • American Athletic Conference (AAC)
     • Conference USA (C-USA)
     • Mid-American Conference (MAC)
     • Mountain West Conference (MWC)
     • Sun Belt Conference
3. Postseason and Championships:
   • The culmination of the FBS season is a series of bowl games, which are postseason matchups typically between teams from different conferences.
   • The most prestigious of these bowl games are part of the “New Year’s Six” – the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl.
   • The College Football Playoff (CFP) determines the national champion of the FBS. Four teams are selected by a committee to compete in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the National Championship game.
4. Scholarships and Funding:
   • FBS schools can offer up to 85 full athletic scholarships for their football teams. This is more than any other level of college football.
   • Due to the high visibility and popularity of FBS football, many programs generate significant revenue for their universities, especially those in the Power Five conferences. This revenue often supports other athletic programs at the school.
5. Popularity and Media Coverage:
   • FBS football games, especially those involving Power Five teams, receive extensive media coverage. Major television networks broadcast games every week, and marquee matchups can attract millions of viewers.
   • The fervor around FBS football also manifests in packed stadiums, with some schools boasting capacities of over 100,000 spectators.
6. Recruitment:
   • Due to the high level of competition in the FBS, recruitment is a major aspect. Coaches and scouts travel across the country to find the best high school talent to bolster their rosters.
   • National Signing Day, when high school seniors officially commit to colleges, is a major event in the FBS calendar, with fans eagerly awaiting the decisions of top recruits.
7. Traditions and Rivalries:
   • FBS football is steeped in tradition. From iconic pre-game rituals to halftime marching band performances, the college football experience is about more than just the game.
   • Intense rivalries exist between many FBS schools, often with historical significance. Games like the “Iron Bowl” between Alabama and Auburn or “The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State are eagerly anticipated each season.

In summary, the FBS represents the pinnacle of college football in the U.S., both in terms of athletic competition and cultural significance. The passion, traditions, and rivalries make it a unique and integral part of the American sports landscape.