How Many Division 1 Football Teams Are There? (2025)
As of the 2025 college football season, there are 133 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams and 129 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams, totaling 262 Division I football programs across the United States.
Understanding NCAA Division I Football Structure
NCAA Division I football is divided into two main subdivisions: the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). These divisions differ in scholarship limits, postseason formats, attendance requirements, and competitive structure.
Key Differences Between FBS and FCS
- FBS: The highest level of college football, featuring larger stadiums, higher attendance, and bowl game matchups instead of a bracketed playoff (though a 12-team playoff begins in 2024).
- FCS: Features a 24-team playoff tournament to determine the national champion and allows up to 63 athletic scholarships (compared to 85 in FBS).
- Schools may transition between subdivisions under NCAA reclassification rules, typically over a four-year period.
FBS Conference Breakdown
The FBS consists of 10 conferences and several independent programs. Each conference has its own structure, championship game, and automatic bids to bowl games or the College Football Playoff.
FBS Conferences and Team Counts (2025)
| Conference | Number of Teams | Notable Members | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC | 16 | Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma | Birmingham, AL |
| Big Ten | 18 | Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Oregon | Rosemont, IL |
| ACC | 17 | Clemson, Florida State, Miami, Stanford | Charlotte, NC |
| Big 12 | 16 | Texas Tech, Kansas State, Arizona, BYU | Irving, TX |
| Pac-12 | 2 | Oregon State, Washington State | San Francisco, CA |
| American Athletic | 14 | Memphis, Tulane, UAB, FAU | Irving, TX |
| Mountain West | 12 | Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Sun Belt | 14 | Appalachian State, Troy, James Madison | New Orleans, LA |
| Mid-American (MAC) | 12 | Western Michigan, Toledo, Ohio | Cleveland, OH |
| Conference USA | 10 | Western Kentucky, Liberty, New Mexico State | Dallas, TX |
| Independents | 4 | Notre Dame, UMass, Army, UConn | N/A |
The Big Ten leads with 18 teams due to recent expansions including West Coast schools. The Pac-12 has significantly reduced in size but maintains a scheduling alliance to preserve bowl eligibility. Notre Dame remains a high-profile independent with a unique television and scheduling agreement.
FCS Conference and Team Overview
The FCS includes 129 teams organized into 13 conferences and a group of independents. These programs emphasize regional competition and student-athlete balance while maintaining high-level football.
Major FCS Conferences (2025)
- Southland Conference: 10 teams, primarily in Texas and Louisiana.
- Missouri Valley Football Conference : 10 teams, considered the strongest FCS league (e.g., North Dakota State).
- Colonial Athletic Association (CAA): 15 teams, including top contenders like Richmond and Villanova.
- Big Sky Conference: 11 teams from western states.
- Ohio Valley Conference: 9 teams, historically a gateway for FBS transitions.
- NEC, MEAC, SWAC: Include lower-resource and HBCU programs, with some participating in the Celebration Bowl.
How Teams Are Classified in Division I
The NCAA uses specific criteria to classify football programs:
- Attendance Requirements: FBS requires an average of 15,000 fans over a rolling two-year period (excluding postseason).
- Scholarships: FBS allows 85 full scholarships; FCS allows 63 equivalencies.
- Scheduling: FBS teams must play at least four non-conference games against FBS opponents (with exceptions).
- Transitioning: Schools moving from FCS to FBS undergo a four-year reclassification, during which they are not eligible for FBS championships.
Recent Changes and Future Outlook
The landscape of Division I football is evolving rapidly due to conference realignment and NCAA rule changes:
- The Pac-12 now has only two members (Oregon State and Washington State), but continues operations through a scheduling alliance with the Mountain West.
- Several FCS programs, including Jacksonville State and Sam Houston, have recently moved to Conference USA (FBS).
- The FBS is expanding its playoff format to 12 teams starting in 2024, increasing national exposure.
- The NCAA may revisit subdivision boundaries as financial and competitive gaps widen.
Common Questions About Division I Football Teams
How many FBS football teams are there in 2025?
There are 133 FBS football teams in the 2025 season, including 129 conference-affiliated teams and 4 independents (Notre Dame, UMass, Army, and UConn).
How many FCS football teams are there in 2025?
There are 129 FCS football teams competing in 13 conferences and as independents during the 2025 season.
Which conference has the most Division I football teams?
The Big Ten Conference has the most teams with 18 members in 2025, following the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.
Can FCS teams move up to FBS?
Yes, FCS teams can reclassify to FBS by meeting NCAA requirements, including financial commitments, stadium capacity, and scheduling standards. The process takes four years, as seen with teams like James Madison and Sam Houston.
Why is Notre Dame an independent in football?
Notre Dame maintains independence to preserve its national brand, historic rivalries, and lucrative NBC television contract. It has a scheduling agreement with the ACC for most sports but retains football autonomy.
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