2017 FCS vs. FBS: Northeast Conference

(STATS) - Coming off a 2016 season in which their 10 wins over FBS programs tied for the fourth-most in a season, FCS programs hope to make a mark again in 2017.

Northeast Conference teams are involved in two of the nearly 100 matchups. However, there's been a push among its members this decade to seek more of the financially beneficial games.

Here's a look at this year's matchups involving NEC teams:

The Matchups (2) - Central Connecticut State: Syracuse (Sept. 2); Wagner: Western Michigan (Sept. 23)

Glamour Game - Wagner at Western Michigan (Sept. 23). The Seahawks drop from two FBS opponents in each of the past two seasons, but their trip to Kalamazoo is a big one as the Mid-American Conference champion Broncos went 13-1 last year, losing only to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. Coach Jason Houghtaling's Seahawks finished 6-5 overall and 4-2 in the NEC a year ago.

Upset Alert - None (yeah, sorry).

Notable - Some NEC programs have been adding FBS matchups, but Bryant, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and Saint Francis don't have any this season. … Central Connecticut State's game versus Syracuse inside the Carrier Dome is the Blue Devils' second against the FBS (lost 51-14 to Western Michigan in 2007). A matchup at Ball State is scheduled for 2018. … Duquesne hopes to make waves with a 2018 game at Hawaii - just the Dukes' second against the FBS following a competitive loss to Buffalo in 2014. The Dukes also will face UMass in 2018. … Other future matchups: Wagner at Syracuse in 2018 and Robert Morris at Buffalo in 2019.