We're two years removed from the last first-time FCS national champion. Here are five candidates for the next new champ.
Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas has made the FCS playoffs only five times in its history and has never made it beyond the second round. The Bears haven't made the playoffs since 2019, either. Yet, this could be the year it all comes together.
UCA opens the season ranked No. 11 in the STATS Perform Poll and No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll. It has a Buchanan Award favorite in defensive end David Walker, a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the backfield in Shun'Derrick Powell and Darius Hale and a top-20 FCS quarterback in Will McElvain.
The pieces are there for a deep playoff run from Central Arkansas.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga won a playoff game last fall and returned experience on both sides of the football. Chase Artopoeus and Marlon Taylor could both be national award finalists by season's end, and the Mocs are the early SoCon favorite. Chattanooga should be excellent this year and might earn a bye that could benefit them in a title chase.
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Sacramento State
In Sacramento State's last four seasons, it has reached the second round of the FCS playoffs. However, the Hornets have made it beyond the second round only once (quarterfinals in 2022). In 2024, Sacramento State head coach Andy Thompson enters his second year with talented QB Kaiden Bennett guiding the offense. It could finally be the year that the Hornets break through.
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South Dakota
South Dakota earned the No. 3 seed in last year's playoffs and opened this season ranked No. 5 in both polls. The Coyotes return talent across the board, which should be enough to navigate an always-difficult MVFC schedule. If South Dakota State makes it into the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time, they could have the experience to make a run.
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UIW
UIW returns quarterback Zach Calzada, retooled the receiving core and had a top-10 defense in some categories last year. A path to the playoffs for the Cardinals is foreseeable out of the Southland, and they'll be battle-tested via their nonconference schedule if they make it in. Now two years removed from an FCS semifinals appearance, UIW has the potential for another postseason run.