NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is the second-highest level of college football competition in the United States, governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Formerly known as Division I-AA, it consists of 129 teams across 13 conferences as of the 2024 season. While these institutions compete in Division I for other sports, the FCS designation applies specifically to their football programs.
The subdivision is notable for its national championship playoff system, which determines its champion through a multi-round bracket, contrasting with the bowl-centric approach of the top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). This structure provides a clear path to a national title for its member schools and has cultivated a dedicated following for its competitive and often unpredictable postseason.
Recently, the FCS has garnered significant attention due to a historic development within the Ivy League. For the first time in the conference's long history, one of its teams has qualified for the FCS playoffs. This breakthrough follows Yale University's victory over Harvard in their annual rivalry game, which secured the league's inaugural playoff berth and marks a notable shift for a conference that has traditionally abstained from the postseason tournament.
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