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Two of the last five FCS national champions (2020, 2022) won titles for the first time in their program’s history. Here’s a look at which teams could be the next to finally grace the FCS mountaintop in 2025-26.

Illinois State

Whom did UIW tie with for the most preseason All-Americans? That team would be Illinois State.

Illinois State is a team that might have the best QB-RB-WR trio in Tommy Rittenhouse, Wenkers Wright and Daniel Sobkowicz. On defense, linebacker Tye Niekamp and defensive tackle Jake Anderson control the front-seven. 

The only thing stopping Illinois State from making a title run could be its path to a title out of the MVFC. There’s one less at-large spot this year, and the Redbirds will likely be the underdog against North Dakota State, South Dakota State and South Dakota. They’ll need to win at least one of those games for a bye that could be the deciding factor on whether Illinois State wins a title in 2025.

UPSET ALERT: 9 potential FCS over FBS upsets for the 2025 college football season

Rhode Island

If the CAA's favorite entering the year has never won a title, it almost has to make this list. In the case of Rhode Island, the Rams are here after an 11-win season that saw a playoff win. Quarterback Devin Farrell is back with arguably the top wide receiver in the FCS in Marquis Buchanan. Speaking of Buchanan, preseason Buck Buchanan Award contender A.J. Pena is back in Rhode Island after a semester-long departure, giving the Rams another key ingredient to a potential year full of firsts.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Top 25 nonconference games in the 2025 FCS season

Sacramento State

Sacramento State won three Big Sky Championships 2019-22 and made the FCS playoffs in 2023. Then in 2024, disaster struck as the Hornets went 3-9.

So a team that went 3-9 last year could win the championship in 2025? While it sounds outlandish, it’s not in the age of the transfer portal. New head coach Brennan Marion has brought a ton of hype to Sacramento and the No. 1-ranked FCS transfer portal class. Chief among the newcomers is All-American running back Jamar Curtis, who led Lafayette to the FCS playoffs in 2023.

It’s a long shot, but if any team has the potential to go from three wins to a title, it’s Sacramento State this year.

PORTAL: FCS transfers that can have an instant impact

South Dakota

South Dakota lost its head coach and a few offensive linemen, but everywhere else, all signs point to a championship run. 

A pair of Walter Payton Award-level players are in the offensive backfield in quarterback Aidan Bouman and running back Charles Pierre Jr., each of whom is arguably the best at the position in the country entering the year.

The defense shouldn’t be a problem either, with defensive coordinator Travis Johansen taking over as the head coach while retaining linebacker Nate Ewell and others.

South Dakota is also the only program with two wins over perennial power North Dakota State in the last two years. To be the best, you have to be able to beat the best. This could be the year the Coyotes beat them all.

RANKINGS: AFCA Coaches Poll | STATS PERFORM | Preseason HBCU Power Rankings

Tarleton State

Tarleton State made the second round of the FCS playoffs in its first playoff-eligible year. For comparison, it took North Dakota State two years after earning playoff eligibility to even make the playoffs. Could Tarleton State be on the verge of a dynasty of its own?

Preseason Walter Payton Award candidate quarterback Victor Gabalis would be a big reason why. He’ll command the offense as the Texans enter the year ranked No. 8 in the FCS preseason coaches poll. That ranking has led to championship goals for Tarleton State in 2025.

FCS AWARDS: Walter Payton Award history | Buck Buchanan Award history | Jerry Rice Award history

UC Davis

UC Davis advanced to the FCS quarterfinals last year and is looking to build upon a successful season. However, the Aggies lost star quarterback Miles Hastings and star running back Lan Larison. Yet, with preseason wide receiver Sam Gbatu Jr., tight end Winson Wiliams and a pair of offensive linemen Ernesto Nava and Eli Simonson, the offense won’t be lacking.

On the other side of the ball, Rex Connors was named Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and will be the leader of a defense with talent at every level. As the saying goes, “defense wins championships” — and UC Davis could rely on its defense to carry it to new heights.

EVERYTHING HBCU: Schedule, scores, updates and more from the 2025 HBCU football season

UIW

No team is more ready to taste the sweet taste of victory than UIW. After a run to the semifinals in 2022 and a quarterfinal loss last year, UIW could finally put it all together in 2025. The Cardinals have the best wide receiver duo in the FCS with Jalen Walthall and transfer Chedon James.

And it doesn’t stop there. UIW tied for the lead among all FCS teams with six STATS Perform Preseason All-Americans.

The biggest challenge for the Cardinals in 2025 will be navigating a difficult nonconference schedule that features two preseason top 25 teams. If UIW can make it out of September unscathed, it’ll be battle-tested enough for a title run.