FCS Football Week 3 features top-ranked matchups

The third week of the 2026 FCS football season features several high-profile matchups and storylines. A key game in the Missouri Valley Football Conference pits No. 2 South Dakota State against No. 9 Youngstown State, highlighting a matchup between the Jackrabbits and Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard.

Other notable matchups in the Week 3 schedule include No. 1 Montana State hosting Central Connecticut State, No. 5 Illinois State facing Eastern Illinois, and No. 7 Lehigh playing Dartmouth. The schedule also includes contests involving ranked programs such as No. 8 Rhode Island, No. 19 Yale, No. 21 William & Mary, No. 22 Villanova, No. 23 Mercer, No. 24 Southern Illinois, and No. 25 Harvard.