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.
POLLS: Two-time defending champs South Dakota State lead 2024 preseason FCS Coaches’ Poll
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.
AWARDS: Ranking the top FCS preseason award contenders
South Dakota
South Dakota earned the No. 3 seed in…
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