FCS Betting Guide: How To Bet On The FCS

FCS football may fly under the radar, but that’s exactly where the value lives. Hey, if we can bet on college football, might as well on everything (in a smart, responsible bettor type of way)!

This FCS betting guide will walk you through exactly what to look for when betting Football Championship Subdivision: from understanding betting techniques, FCS betting strategies, the FCS Coaches Poll, historical data and the best sportsbooks for FCS betting for this NCAAF season.

where to bet on the FCS?

First thing is first—identifying where you can find game lines and futures odds for the FCS. You can find FCS game lines and futures odds at most major college football bettings sites, including FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars and BetMGM.

While offerings may not be as extensive as FBS, these books typically post spreads, totals, and moneylines for FCS matchups. Futures markets, like odds to win the FCS championship, are also available throughout the season.

how to bet on the FCS

Betting on FCS games works just like any other football market, with options like moneylines, point spreads and totals available at most betting apps. If you're new to betting or just want a refresher on the basics, check out our full How to Bet guide for a complete breakdown.

FCS Betting Tips & Strategies

Here are some quick tips and tricks to help you get the edge when betting on FCS games.

FCS weekly coaches poll

Just like the FBS has the AP Poll, the FCS features a weekly Coaches Poll that ranks the top teams across the subdivision. While it's not the end-all-be-all, it’s a useful tool. Checking the poll each week can help you spot overrated or underrated teams, see who has got the momentum and see how public hype might be moving the lines. You can find the coaches poll on the NCAA rankings page.

FCS Data sites

Data sites like Sportsbook make betting on FCS way easier by breaking down team trends—like how often a team hits the OVER or covers the spread on the road. When you're dealing with smaller schools and less coverage, having easy access to real stats can give you a big edge.

historical trends

Looking at historical trends can give you a big edge when betting the FCS, especially futures bets! Some programs just know how to win—and keep winning—thanks to strong coaching, recruiting and culture that's been built.

Take North Dakota State, for example, who has built one of the biggest dynasties in Football Championship Subdivision. The Bison have won 10 FCS national championships since 2011. They reclaimed the title in 2024 after going quiet for a couple of years. But, their success goes beyond the FCS with alumni like Carson Wentz (2nd overall pick), Trey Lance (3rd overall), and Grey Zabel (18th overall) making their respective marks in the NFL. Since NDSU’s first FCS season in 2004, 16 former Bison have been drafted into the NFL.

2025 FCS Championship odds

Odds To Win 2025 Heisman Trophy
Player	Odds
North Dakota State	-330
Montana State	+550
Montana	+1600
Tarleton State	+1700
South Dakota State	+1800
North Dakota	+5500
Lehigh	+5500

North Dakota State stole the three-peat away from South Dakota State last season. Now, the Bison have pulled away from the pack and sit as -330 heavy favorites to begin their own FCS championship streak. North Dakota State kicked off the year with a 38-0 win over Citadel and have stayed undefeated since, averaging 42.1 PPG and allowing just 11.6 PPG. Notably, South Dakota State and North Dakota State have accounted for 12 of the last 14 FCS championships. Since 2011, the Bison have won the title 10 times—obviously the most of any program. So, a futures bet on them clearly isn't a bad move. If you're wanting to maximize your profit, check out our college football betting promos to boost your potential payout.