(STATS) – More teams qualify for the FCS playoffs with at-large bids than they do by winning conference titles, so playing a quality non-conference schedule helps build a stronger resume.
The Big Sky and Missouri Valley conferences clearly received the memo.
The opening month of the college football season features the best non-conference games and those two power conferences lead the way in attractive, risky, but ultimately good-for-the-FCS matchups.
Here are the dozen best non-conference games in 2017:
12. Kennesaw State (Big South) at Samford (Southern), Aug. 31 – Kennesaw’s young, rising program used the triple option to rank third in the FCS in rushing yards per game (320.