As the college football season begins, Week 1 brings a flurry of matchups that see several Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams challenging their Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) counterparts. While many FBS teams have yet to take the field this season, a number of FCS squads are gearing up for what could be thrilling contests. This weekend, fans should keep a close eye on two particular games that could lead to significant upsets.
One of the most anticipated matchups occurs on Saturday morning when Bowling Green welcomes #5 Tarleton State to town. The Texans, coming off an impressive Week 0 victory over Prairie View A&M, demonstrated their offensive prowess by racking up over 500 total yards. Quarterback Kaden Anderson, a transfer from Wyoming, showcased his skills by throwing for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Tylan Hines made a significant impact with 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and receiver Marquis Willis contributed with two touchdown receptions, averaging over 20 yards per catch.
Tarleton State's offense is a formidable force, reminiscent of their strong performance during last year's playoff run. In contrast, Bowling Green's defense struggled last season, allowing an average of 343.4 yards per game and finishing with a disappointing four wins. As of now, the Falcons are only slight favorites, with a spread of just 1.5 points. This matchup could easily tilt in favor of the Texans, who have proven they can compete against FBS teams, as evidenced by their victory over Army in the past.
Later on Saturday, #2 South Dakota State faces off against Northwestern, a game that could challenge preconceived notions about FCS teams competing against FBS opponents. Despite the Big Ten branding that may suggest a significant mismatch, those familiar with FCS football understand that betting against the Jackrabbits in these scenarios is often unwise. Last week, South Dakota State demonstrated their potential by scoring 70 points against Stetson, accumulating 628 yards of offense while their defense held the opposition scoreless until the second half.
While Northwestern, a bowl team in 2025, will present a tougher challenge, South Dakota State has the experience and talent to make this a competitive game. The Jackrabbits, led by standout quarterback Chase Mason, who is eyeing a future in the NFL, have previously proven their mettle by defeating national champion Montana State last season. If they replicate their sharp performance from last week, they could very well upset the Wildcats in Martin Stadium.
For both Tarleton State and South Dakota State, achieving an upset will require near-perfect execution. However, both teams possess the discipline and talent necessary to make their respective games competitive. Tarleton State faces an arguably easier task against Bowling Green, but any time a Top 5 FCS team enters an FBS venue, the potential for an upset looms large. Last season saw only four such victories for FCS teams against FBS opponents, but this year, there’s a strong possibility that either or both of these teams could add to that list.
Kickoff for the Tarleton State vs. Bowling Green game is set for 12:00 PM (ET) and will be available for streaming on ESPN+. Meanwhile, South Dakota State's matchup against Northwestern will begin at 8:00 PM (ET) on the Big Ten Network.
In addition to these highlighted games, other FCS teams to watch for potential upsets this week include Lafayette at UConn, Youngstown State at Kentucky, Rhode Island at Temple, UTRGV at UTSA, Austin Peay at Vanderbilt, Idaho State at Utah State, Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State, and Lamar at Louisiana.
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