How Many FBS Football Teams in 2025? Full List & Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · March 6, 2049

As of the 2025 college football season, there are 134 teams in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football in the United States.

Understanding the FBS Landscape

The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) represents the top tier of NCAA college football. These programs compete for spots in major bowl games and the College Football Playoff, drawing millions of fans each season. The number of FBS teams has evolved over time due to conference realignment, program upgrades, and NCAA requirements.

What Defines an FBS Team?

Must meet NCAA minimum attendance requirements (average of 15,000 home attendees over a rolling two-year period, though waivers exist).
Schedules at least nine games annually against FBS opponents.
Offers a minimum of 90% of the allowable football scholarships (85 full scholarships).
Competes within one of the ten FBS conferences or as an independent.

FBS Conferences and Team Distribution

FBS teams are organized into ten conferences and a group of independents. Each conference operates under its own structure but adheres to NCAA FBS standards.

Conference	Number of Teams	Notable Members	First Season (Current Format)
ACC	17	Clemson, Florida State, Miami	2024
Big Ten	18	Michigan, Ohio State, USC, UCLA	2024
Big 12	16	Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, BYU	2023
Pac-12	2	Oregon State, Washington State	2024
SEC	16	Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Oklahoma	2024
American Athletic	14	SMU, Tulane, UAB, East Carolina	2023
Conference USA	9	Western Kentucky, Liberty, Jacksonville State	2023
Mid-American (MAC)	12	Ohio, Toledo, Northern Illinois	1997
Sun Belt	14	Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, James Madison	2022
Mountain West	12	Boise State, Fresno State, UNLV	1999
Independents	5	Notre Dame, Army, UConn, UMass, Liberty*	N/A

Table data source:NCAA, Sports Reference, College Football Poll

The data shows significant realignment activity through 2024–2025, particularly in the ACC, Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12, which expanded by adding schools from the Pac-12 and other conferences. The Pac-12 now operates with just two members but maintains FBS status through scheduling agreements. Notre Dame remains a high-profile independent, while Liberty transitioned from Conference USA to independent status in 2023 but still counts toward the FBS total.

Recent Changes and Realignment Trends

The FBS landscape has undergone dramatic shifts recently. The Pac-12 lost ten members between 2022 and 2024, with Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC joining the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah moving to the Big 12; and Colorado returning to the Big 12. This reshuffling triggered cascading moves across other leagues.

Key Additions in 2024–2025

Cal, Stanford, SMU: Joined the ACC.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah: Joined the Big 12.
Washington State and Oregon State: Remain in a restructured Pac-12 with non-football affiliate partnerships.
UCLA and USC: Began Big Ten competition in 2024.

Pathways to FBS Status

Schools aiming to reach FBS must first compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and meet strict NCAA criteria, including financial commitment, stadium capacity, and scholarship levels. The transition process typically takes several years.

Recent FBS Promotions

Sam Houston State: Moved from FCS to C-USA in 2023.
Jacksonville State: Transitioned from FCS to C-USA in 2023.
Kennesaw State: Scheduled to begin FBS play in the ASUN-WAC partnership before joining C-USA in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions About FBS Football Teams

How many FBS football teams are there in 2025?

There are 134 FBS football teams in the 2025 season, distributed across ten conferences and five independent programs.

Why did the Pac-12 shrink so much?

The Pac-12 lost ten of its twelve members between 2022 and 2024 due to conference realignment driven by media rights deals. Only Oregon State and Washington State remain, but they maintain FBS status through scheduling alliances with the Mountain West.

Which schools recently joined the FBS?

Sam Houston State and Jacksonville State began FBS play in 2023 as members of Conference USA. Kennesaw State started its transition in 2024. Additionally, several schools like SMU moved from smaller conferences into Power Four leagues in 2024.

What are the Power Four conferences in FBS?

The Power Four consists of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. These conferences have automatic access to major bowl games and greater influence in the College Football Playoff selection process.

Can FCS teams become FBS teams?

Yes, FCS teams can move to FBS if they meet NCAA requirements, including scholarship offerings, attendance benchmarks, and financial commitments. The process usually takes two to three years and requires acceptance into an FBS conference.

Why is Notre Dame an independent in football?

Notre Dame maintains independence to preserve its national brand, television deal with NBC, and scheduling flexibility. It has a special agreement with the ACC for scheduling and access to the College Football Playoff.