TL;DR
- North Dakota State is the undefeated favorite to win the 2025 FCS playoffs.
- Montana State and Montana are strong contenders, seeded second and third respectively.
- Lehigh is the only other undefeated team entering the 2025 FCS playoffs.
- The 2025 FCS playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN networks and available to stream on the ESPN app.
The 2025 FCS playoffs will be defined by a single query: Is there any team capable of halting North Dakota State's dominance?
The reigning national champion Bison dominated the regular season undefeated, outscoring opponents by an average of 31 points each contest. This performance secured them the top seed and clear favorite position heading into the playoffs.
The remaining 24-team playoff field includes strong contenders, notably rivals Montana State and Montana, seeded second and third. Although the Bobcats inflicted their rivals' initial defeat in the season's final contest, both teams possess the capability for an extended postseason journey.
Also keep in mind Lehigh, the sole team alongside NDSU to enter the playoffs undefeated this season. The Mountain Hawks haven't advanced beyond the quarterfinals since 1980 but have managed to secure victories throughout the entire season.
Here's a comprehensive overview of the 2025 FCS playoffs, detailing TV and live stream access for all matchups.
FCS playoffs schedule, scores 2025
The initial round is scheduled for Saturday, November 29th.
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 15 Youngstown State vs. Yale | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 9 Rhode Island vs. Central Connecticut State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 12 Villanova vs. Harvard | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana vs. Illinois State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 10 Abilene Christian vs. Lamar | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 13 Tennessee Tech vs. North Dakota | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 11 South Dakota vs. Drake | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 14 South Dakota State vs. New Hampshire | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Second round — Saturday, December 6
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 6 Mercer vs. No. 11 South Dakota/Drake | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 5 Lehigh vs. No. 12 Villanova/Harvard | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 1 North Dakota State vs. No. 16 SE Louisiana/Illinois State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 7 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 10 Abilene Christian/Lamar | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 4 Tarleton State vs. No. 13 Tennessee Tech/North Dakota | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 2 Montana State vs. No. 15 Youngstown State/Yale | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 3 Montana vs. No. 14 South Dakota State/New Hampshire | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 8 UC Davis vs. No. 9 Rhode Island/Central Conn. State | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Quarterfinals
Friday, Dec. 12
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| TBD | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
Saturday, Dec. 13
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| TBD | 12 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
| TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo |
| TBD | TBD | ESPN+ |
Semifinals - Saturday, Dec. 20
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| TBD | 4 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo |
| TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
National championship - Monday, Jan. 5
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| Semifinal winners | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
FCS playoffs bracket 2025
The bracket for the 2025 FCS playoffs is below.
The journey 🛣️ to Nashville starts now! 🤠
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) November 23, 2025
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Where to stream the 2025 FCS playoffs
The FCS playoff contests will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks; the initial two rounds will be available on ESPN+, the quarterfinal matchups on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+, the semifinal contests on ABC and ESPN2, and the championship match will be shown on ESPN.
Every game is available for fans to stream through the ESPN app with the Unlimited plan, which encompasses all ESPN broadcast networks, such as ABC sports and all ESPN+ content.
You can now view ESPN content without a cable subscription. The new ESPN app allows you to stream live games from the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL, along with college sports, and popular programs like SportsCenter and First Take, whenever and wherever you choose.
Games airing on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 can also be streamed live on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.
FCS playoffs round-by-round schedule 2025
| Date | Round | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 29 | First round | ESPN+ |
| Dec. 6 | Second round | ESPN+ |
| Dec. 12-13 | Quarterfinals | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Dec. 20 | Semifinals | ABC, ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Jan. 5 | Championship | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
FCS champions list
The last 10 FCS champions are listed below.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | North Dakota State | Montana State |
| 2023 | South Dakota State | Montana |
| 2022 | South Dakota State | North Dakota State |
| 2021 | North Dakota State | Montana State |
| 2020 | Sam Houston | South Dakota State |
| 2019 | North Dakota State | James Madison |
| 2018 | North Dakota State | Eastern Washington |
| 2017 | North Dakota State | James Madison |
| 2016 | James Madison | Youngstown State |
| 2015 | North Dakota State | Jacksonville State |
Related Links
- Latest college football news
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