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OptaAnalystFCS
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FCS Football coverage with Stats Perform and The Analyst: Top 25 media poll; Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice and Eddie & Doris Robinson awards; and much more across the Division I subdivision.

https://theanalyst.com/na/competition/fcs/articles
Despite returning just eight starters from last season’s FCS runner-up squad, the Montana State Bobcats are back in the national championship game for the third time in five seasons. They face Illinois State Monday night.

theanalyst.com/articles/mont...
Montana State Bobcats Seek to Check Off a Final Box on Their To-Do List | Opta Analyst
The Montana State Bobcats reloaded to get back to the FCS championship game for the third time in five seasons under coach Brent Vigen.
theanalyst.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Following an inconsistent regular season, the Illinois State Redbirds have peaked at the right time. Boosted by four road playoff wins, they’re set to play Montana State for the FCS national championship.

theanalyst.com/articles/illi...
Illinois State Redbirds Have Traveled a Winding Road to Get on Track | Opta Analyst
Following an inconsistent regular season, the Illinois State Redbirds have peaked on the way to playing for the FCS national championship.
theanalyst.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Bucknell has named Jeff Behrman as its new head football coach.

He guided his alma mater John Carroll to a 29-7 record the last three seasons, reaching the 2025 Division II semifinals. He previously went 43-20 in seven seasons at Union. (Doug Beigle Photo)
January 1, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Follow along Saturday night as we livestream the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show in Nashville, Tennessee.

www.youtube.com/live/-Imz8BV...
2025 FCS National Awards Show
The stars will be shining as we celebrate the best of the best in FCS college football at the 2025 Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show in Nashville, Tenne...
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
ICYMI on Tuesday: Plenty of NFL potential among the FCS invites.

Happy New Year!

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
New NFL-FCS Showcase Aims to Increase Draft Exposure of Leading Senior Prospects | Opta Analyst
The NFL-FCS Showcase will debut over national championship weekend, seeking to increase exposure of senior draft-eligible prospects.
theanalyst.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:30 PM
The Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show is fast approaching on Saturday.

Please enjoy the awards program.

theanalyst.com/wp-content/u....
January 1, 2026 at 12:45 PM
The announcements of the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards will cap the 2025 Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show Saturday night. Learn the winners as they happen on our livestream.

theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
Payton, Buchanan Announcements to Highlight FCS National Awards Show | Opta Analyst
The announcements of the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards will cap the 2025 Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show.
theanalyst.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Happy New Year! But let's look back as well because it's been quite the 2025 FCS season.

theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
FCS Football Review: 10 Things to Remember About the 2025 Season | Opta Analyst
A look back at top games, players, performances and storylines that have shaped the 2025 FCS football season.
theanalyst.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
FCS football is home to 13 conferences and 129 schools.

We thank you for the growth in followers in 2025:
X: @OptaAnalystFCS – 9.1%
Facebook: FCS Football (OptaAnalystFCS) – 54.5%
Instagram: OptaAnalystFCS – 39.1%
Bluesky: optaanalystfcs – 60.0%

Happy New Year!
December 31, 2025 at 10:29 AM
VMI has announced Ashley Ingram as its new football coach. He went 16-6 in guiding Division II Carson-Newman the last two seasons.

theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
FCS Football Head Coaching Changes: Who's New for the 2026 Season? | Opta Analyst
An evolving list of FCS football head coaching changes from the 2025 season. The changes occur for various reasons.
theanalyst.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Over 30 FCS-level senior standouts have accepted invitations to an inaugural showcase with NFL teams as part of the national championship game in Nashville, Tennessee.

theanalyst.com/articles/nfl-...
New NFL-FCS Showcase Aims to Increase Draft Exposure of Leading Senior Prospects | Opta Analyst
The NFL-FCS Showcase will debut over national championship weekend, seeking to increase exposure of senior draft-eligible prospects.
theanalyst.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The 2025 FCS season has been a ton of fun.

Here are some of the national special teams leaders.
December 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Some of the FCS national defensive leaders.

Illinois State's Tye Niekamp has 155 tackles heading into the national championship game.
December 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The 2025 FCS season has been a ton of fun.

Here are some of the national offensive leaders.
December 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Line them up - they're looking good.

Five numbers that help define Montana State's 2025 season as it prepares to play for the FCS national championship.

theanalyst.com/articles/mont...
FCS Championship Game: Five Numbers to Know With the Montana State Bobcats | Opta Analyst
Five numbers that help define Montana State's 2025 season as it prepares to play for the FCS national championship.
theanalyst.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Illinois State Redbirds are seeking their first FCS national championship. Here are five numbers that help explain their amazing run to Nashville.

theanalyst.com/articles/illi...
FCS Championship Game: Five Numbers to Know With the Illinois State Redbirds | Opta Analyst
The Illinois State Redbirds are seeking their first FCS national championship. Here are five numbers that help explain their amazing season.
theanalyst.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Montana State won the 1984 FCS national championship.

Coach Brent Vigen has the Big Sky champion Bobcats seeking a second title in their third appearance in the championship game in the last five seasons.
December 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Illinois State coach Brock Spack on the national finalist Redbirds, who have gone from an 8-4 regular season to winning a record four road games in the FCS playoffs.
December 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Who's going to hoist the NCAA FCS trophy on Jan. 5?

We look at the championship game history of Montana State and Illinois State.

theanalyst.com/articles/mont...
The FCS Championship Game History of 2025 Finalists Montana State, Illinois State | Opta Analyst
Montana State and Illinois State will meet in the 2025 FCS championship game. Here’s the history of their previous title game appearances.
theanalyst.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The Montana State offense vs. the Illinois State defense.

The Illinois State defense vs. the Montana State offense.

theanalyst.com/articles/mont...
FCS Championship Game: Montana State vs. Illinois State Tale of the Tape | Opta Analyst
Montana State vs. Illinois State is a fascinating FCS championship game matchup. Here's what to expect when each team has the ball.
theanalyst.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:45 PM
With New Hampshire and Presbyterian announcing head coaching hires, 16 of the 19 FCS openings have been filled to date.

theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
FCS Football Head Coaching Changes: Who's New for the 2026 Season? | Opta Analyst
An evolving list of FCS football head coaching changes from the 2025 season. The changes occur for various reasons.
theanalyst.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
We're one week away from the FCS national championship game.
December 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Small-school NFL Draft expert Josh Buchanan lists his top-five seniors to watch in the 2025 FCS championship game (Jan. 5 in Nashville, Tennessee).
December 28, 2025 at 4:30 PM