What does FBS stand for in college football?
The divisions in college football can get confusing. What exactly do people mean when they throw out terms like FBS and FCS?
The world of college football is a magical place. Saturday’s in fall are full of highlights and the unexpected. You never know what you’re going to get.
At the same time, CFB can be complicated. Rules are different and the structure is not always particularly clear.
What does FBS stand for in college football?
FBS is an acronym for Football Bowl Subdivision. It refers to the top half of Division I college football. The lower half is known as FCS, or Football Championship Subdivision.
FBS programs are the most competitive in the sport, numbering 130 schools. Those teams are separated into conferences with a few independents thrown in. They have the highest requirements for membership, including attendance, but also have the most scholarship allocations to work with and make the most money.
Aside from those differences, the most distinct way to tell the FBS from the FCS is bowl games. FBS follows the traditional model of holding postseason bowls while the FCS has utilized an end-of-season tournament to determine a champion. Hence, the title of “bowl subdivision” versus “championship subdivision.”
So the next time you see someone refer to FBS, now you know exactly what they mean.
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