STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 13: Isaiah Ragland #20 of the Villanova Wildcats carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on September 13, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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The FCS Playoffs are underway as action continues on Saturday with the Second Round, and you can catch every game on ESPN+.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Isaiah Ragland #20 of the Villanova Wildcats carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on September 13, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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How to Watch FCS Playoffs: Second Round

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The second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) postseason begins Saturday, December 6, with a full slate of matchups. The structure gives an advantage to the top-seeded programs: eight of the best teams earned first-round byes and now host second-round games at home.

For many programs, this is the first real test of their playoff mettle. After surviving the initial round, now comes the pressure of either validating their season or facing a killer upset. Attendance and stakes tend to be higher than in regular-season games, since a win here keeps title hopes alive. Expect intensity and often unpredictable games. FCS playoffs have a tradition of dramatic finishes, underdog stories, and physical football, meaning even teams seeded lower can pull off surprises if they execute well. One big storyline: top contenders often feature balanced, well-rounded offenses and defenses, making for tight, hard-fought games.

This is a great day of college football matchups that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

Live stream FCS Playoffs on ESPN+: Start your subscription now!

Matchups

(Eastern Standard Time)
12 p.m. | Villanova at Lehigh (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
12 p.m. | South Dakota at Mercer (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
1 p.m. | Illinois State at North Dakota State (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
1 p.m. | North Dakota at Tarleton State (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
2 p.m. | Abilene Christian at Stephen F. Austin (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
2 p.m. | Yale at Montana State (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
2 p.m. | South Dakota State at Montana (FCS Second Round) | ESPN+
10 p.m. | Rhode Island at UC Davis (FCS Second Round) | ESPN2

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