How Many Teams in College Football 2025? Full FBS Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · September 11, 2027

There are over 130 college football teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football, with exactly 134 teams competing in the 2025 season.

Understanding College Football Structure

College football in the United States is governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and divided into multiple divisions and subdivisions. The primary competitive level for major programs is the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), which includes the most prominent teams, largest stadiums, and televised games. As of the 2025 season, there are 134 teams in the FBS.

Key Divisions in College Football

FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision): Top-tier programs eligible for bowl games and the College Football Playoff.
FCS (Football Championship Subdivision): Second-highest level, featuring a 24-team playoff to determine its national champion.
Division II: Smaller schools with athletic scholarships but fewer resources than FBS or FCS.
Division III: No athletic scholarships; emphasis on academic balance and regional competition.
NAIA: An alternative association to the NCAA with its own championship structure.

FBS Conference Breakdown for 2025

The 134 FBS teams are organized into 11 conferences and several independent programs. Conference membership affects scheduling, revenue sharing, and access to postseason opportunities such as New Year's Six bowls and the College Football Playoff.

Conference	Number of Teams	Notable Members	Headquarters
SEC	16	Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma	Birmingham, AL
Big Ten	18	Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Oregon	Chicago, IL
ACC	17	Clemson, Miami, Florida State	Charlotte, NC
Big 12	16	Texas Tech, Kansas State, Arizona, Colorado	Irving, TX
Pac-12	2	Oregon State, Washington State	San Francisco, CA
American Athletic	14	SMU, Tulane, UAB, East Carolina	Irving, TX
Mountain West	12	Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State	Colorado Springs, CO
Sun Belt	14	Appalachian State, Troy, South Alabama	New Orleans, LA
Mid-American (MAC)	12	Western Michigan, Toledo, Northern Illinois	Cleveland, OH
Conference USA	10	Western Kentucky, Liberty, Jacksonville State	Dallas, TX
Independents	5	Notre Dame, UMass, Army, UConn, BYU	N/A

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows significant realignment ahead of the 2025 season, particularly with the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams and the SEC adding Texas and Oklahoma. The Pac-12 has effectively dissolved as a major football conference, retaining only two members. Notre Dame remains a high-profile independent with a unique scheduling agreement with the ACC.

Recent Conference Realignment Impact

The 2024–2025 cycle marks one of the most transformative periods in college football history due to conference realignment. Key changes include:

Big Ten Expansion: Added USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to reach 18 teams, making it the largest conference.
SEC Growth: Welcomed Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12, increasing competitiveness and national reach.
Pac-12 Collapse: Lost 10 of 12 members, leaving only Oregon State and Washington State, who will play schedules coordinated with the Mountain West in 2025.
BYU Independence: After joining the Big 12 in 2023, BYU continues as a full member, while other former independents like UConn have joined smaller conferences.

How Teams Qualify for Postseason Play

In the FBS, there is no automatic playoff based on division standings. Instead:

The top four teams are selected by a 13-member College Football Playoff Committee for the CFP semifinals.
An expanded 12-team playoff format begins in the 2024 season, including six conference champions and six at-large bids.
All remaining FBS teams not in the CFP are eligible for one of over 40 bowl games, contingent on a minimum 6-win season.

FAQ About College Football Teams in 2025

How many total college football teams are in the FBS for 2025?

There are 134 teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for the 2025 season, spread across 11 conferences and five independent programs.

Which conference has the most teams in 2025?

The Big Ten Conference has the most teams in 2025 with 18 members, including new additions USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.

What happened to the Pac-12 in 2025?

The Pac-12 effectively dissolved as a major football conference after losing 10 of its 12 members to the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12. Only Oregon State and Washington State remain, playing a partial schedule with the Mountain West.

Why are some college football teams independent?

Teams like Notre Dame, Army, and BYU choose independence for scheduling flexibility, national brand exposure, and financial reasons. Notre Dame has a TV deal with NBC and special ACC scheduling agreements for bowl eligibility.

Will the number of FBS teams change after 2025?

Yes, future changes are expected. Several FCS programs, such as Jacksonville State and Sam Houston, transitioned to FBS recently. Further realignment could occur if more schools seek Power Four conference membership or if the NCAA adjusts subdivision requirements.