Ranking The Best FCS Offenses From Every Conference In 2025

Will these top FCS offenses be able to find the same success in 2026?

Montana State running back Adam Jones | Kelly Gorham (Montana State Athletics)

As we get ready for the 2026 college football season, I wanted to take a brief look back at the top FCS offenses from a season ago. It gives us a sense of what we should be looking for in a new season.

You can find the Top 3 offenses according to yards per play for each conference below, specifically using games in conference play. We've used conference games to eliminate any skewed results against non-Division I opponents and FBS programs. Yards per play gives us a much better view of a team's effectiveness than total yards or points per game.

Below are the Top 5 offenses for every FCS conference last season.

Big Sky

1. Montana State (7.5)
2. UC Davis (6.7)
3. Idaho State (6.5)
4. Montana (6.3)
5. Southern Utah (6.1)

To nobody's surprise, the reigning national champions had the most potent offensive attack. A lot of the key elements of this offense are back, which means this offense should be just as effective. UC Davis also returns most of the second-best offense in the Big Sky, including multiple offensive line starters, key wide receivers, and running backs. The biggest question will be replacing Caden Pinnick at quarterback.

Surprisingly, Idaho State just eclipsed Montana as the third-most effective offense in the Big Sky. Jordan Cooke and Dason Brooks both return to lead the Bengals, plus they added former All-American wide receiver Chedon James back to the mix. This is a major reason that Idaho State is receiving a lot of preseason hype. Also, Southern Utah's 2025 data is from the UAC, but the Thunderbirds have a good bit of continuity offensively that should translate to the Big Sky in 2026.

CAA

1. Rhode Island (7.1)
2. Monmouth (6.8)
3. Maine (5.9)
4. Towson (5.9)
5. New Hampshire (5.8)
6. Elon (5.8)

As long as Devin Farrell and Marquis Buchanan are healthy, Rhode Island is going to have one of the best offenses in the country. Towson is a team to watch here, especially with Andrew Indorf returning for his sophomore season. Monmouth will need Frankie Weaver to take a step forward after he started the final five games of the year after Derek Robertson's injury.

Ivy League

1. Harvard (6.3)
2. Yale (6.0)
3. Penn (5.6)
4. Brown (5.3)
5. Dartmouth (5.3)

Harvard will have to replace star quarterback Jaden Craig, but the Crimson will have plenty of returning weapons around whoever wins the QB1 job. Dante Reno will look to take the next step at Yale, but the Bulldogs are going to need to find a new workhorse to replace Josh Pitsenberger.

MEAC

1. South Carolina State (6.9)
2. Norfolk State (6.4)
3. North Carolina Central (6.1)
4. Delaware State (5.9)
5. Morgan State (5.2)
6. Howard (4.8)

South Carolina State continues to churn out elite offenses under head coach Chennis Berry. The Bulldogs will have a new starting quarterback, but bring in offensive coordinator KJ Black, who is one of the best offensive minds in the game. Surprisingly, Norfolk State found some offensive success in conference play, but wasn't able to close games. It could be a bright spot going into Year 2 of the Michael Vick era.

MVFC

1. Youngstown State (7.0)
2. Southern Illinois (6.6)
3. South Dakota (5.8)
4. North Dakota (5.7)
5. Murray State (5.7)

Youngstown State and Southern Illinois had two of the best offenses in the entire country last season. Both teams also return a ton of their key weapons and playmakers, including quarterbacks Beau Brungard and DJ Williams.

Interestingly, South Dakota earned the 3rd spot and was actually fairly effective offensively in conference play. It'll be interesting to watch if freshman Austyn Modrzewski can keep this offense running at the same level in 2026.

NEC

1. Duquesne (6.0)
2. Central Connecticut State (5.9)
3. Mercyhurst (5.4)
4. Robert Morris (5.2)
5. Long Island (4.7)

OVC

1. Gardner-Webb (5.8)
2. Lindenwood (5.8)
3. Charleston Southern (5.8)
4. UT Martin (5.6)
5. Western Illinois (5.2)

With Tennessee Tech gone, Gardner-Webb will be a team to watch as quarterback Cole Pennington and running back Carson Gresock return, which means this team should have one of the top offenses in the OVC once again. Both Lindenwood and Charleston Southern are potential dark horses, but it will largely depend on quarterback play. Keep an eye on Western Illinois, which looks improved behind Cason Carswell, who was the Big South-OVC Freshman of the Year.

Patriot League

1. Lehigh (7.1)
2. Lafayette (7.0)
3. Villanova (6.3)
4. William & Mary (5.9)
5. Colgate (5.8)

Lehigh should once again be an elite offensive unit behind Hayden Johnson and Luke Yoder. Villanova's stats are from the CAA, but the Wildcats may have a major question mark, as Pat McQuaide's eligibility is still uncertain. All the other options are extremely unproven.

Pioneer League

1. St. Thomas (6.2)
2. Presbyterian (6.1)
3. Drake (6.0)
4. Dayton (5.7)
5. San Diego (5.6)

SoCon

1. Mercer (7.6)
2. Western Carolina (6.8)
3. Tennessee Tech (6.6)
4. ETSU (6.4)
5. The Citadel (6.2)

Most of Mercer's offensive attack last year followed Mike Jacobs to Toledo. Tennessee Tech's number here is obviously from OVC-Big South play last year, but the Golden Eagles have arguably improved their offensive personnel in every position group. Western Carolina will be relying on several transfers, but Kerwin Bell's offense is always going to produce at an elite level.

Southland

1. Southeastern Louisiana (6.4)
2. UTRGV (6.1)
3. Stephen F. Austin (5.7)
4. East Texas A&M (5.5)
5. McNeese (5.4)

All three of these teams will be relying on new starting quarterbacks. Southeastern Louisiana has the most returning experience with a promising young star in Kyle Lowe, who saw significant action last year. Gavin Rutherford also has some starting experience for SFA, leading the Lumberjacks as Sam Vidlak battled injuries. UTRGV has the biggest question at quarterback, but Virginia Tech transfer Garrett Rangel appears to be the favorite, even though head coach Travis Bush hinted at a two-quarterback system in Week 0.

SWAC

1. Alabama State (8.1)
2. Jackson State (7.0)
3. Prairie View A&M (6.8)
4. Bethune-Cookman (6.4)
5. Florida A&M (6.3)

Alabama State had the best offense in the country last season, which is relative based on the level of competition in each conference. Much of this offensive attack returns, including superstar quarterback Andrew Body. Jackson State and Prairie View A&M relied on effective rushing attacks, but the Tigers have a lot to replace at running back going into next season.

UAC

1. Austin Peay (6.9)
2. Tarleton State (6.8)
3. Abilene Christian (6.3)
4. Central Arkansas (5.6)
5. Eastern Kentucky (5.2)

Austin Peay just missed the playoffs, but had the best offense in the UAC. All-American quarterback Chris Parson is back after a breakout season, but there will be some new weapons around him in 2026.

Tarleton State will have a new quarterback and needs to replace its starting offensive line. There's plenty of talent in the room, but it's a big question of how quickly this unit will gel. Abilene Christian will also have a new starter at quarterback, plus several wide receivers from last year's team need to be replaced.

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