College football is one of the most popular sporting events in the United States. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is the country’s highest level of college football. It was founded in 1978 and currently consists of the largest schools in the NCAA.
As of the 2023 season, the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision has 133 schools. These schools are subdivided into 11 conferences. Here are the 11 conferences under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
American Athletic Conference
The American Athletic Conference (AAC), or The American, is an American collegiate athletic conference under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. It was founded on May 13, 1979, as the Big East Conference. Last July 1, 2013, under the leadership of incumbent Commissioner Michael Aresco, the conference was rebranded and organized into the American. The conference has its headquarters in Irving, Texas.
It has 14 member universities and five affiliate member universities. They represent both public and private universities. Their locations are in urban metropolitan areas in the Midwestern, Northeastern, and Southern parts of the United States.
The American is part of the unofficial Group of Five Conferences. These groups of conferences are considered less prestigious. Still, watching the American is a great way to test the FanDuel College football odds continuously. It allows fans and bettors, especially novices, to place bets without feeling the immense pressure of immediately betting on the big league.
Atlantic Coast Conference
As part of the unofficial Power Five Conferences, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is home to various teams and athletes with multiple national championships. It was founded 70 years ago on May 8, 1953. Its current commissioner is James J. Philips. He has been in office since 2021.
The ACC headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision with 15 member universities. In 2024, the number will rise to 18. These universities are usually from the South Atlantic States, but recent additions have extended their reach towards the Northeast and Midwest.
Big 12 Conference
Another conference that belongs to the Power Five Conferences is the Big 12 Conference. This conference was founded on February 25, 1994, after the merger of the Big Eight Conference and the Southwest Conference.
The Big 12 Conference is headquartered in Irving, Texas, under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Its current commissioner is Brett Yormaek from 2022. The conference currently has 14 full-member universities. However, two universities- the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin – have signified that they’re leaving the conference in 2024.
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is renowned for its competitive college football programs. It was founded in 1896 under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. With historic universities like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, the conference consistently produces top-ranked teams and intense rivalries.
The Big Ten has a strong presence in the College Football Playoff, with multiple teams vying for national championships. The conference’s commitment to high-level competition and its emphasis on strong academic standards make it a powerhouse in college football. The conference with 14 member institutions is part of the Power of Five Conferences.
Conference USA
Conference USA (C-USA) is a prominent athletic conference under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision founded in 1995. Comprising nine member institutions, it is currently based in Dallas, Texas. While C-USA may not have the same level of national recognition as other conferences, it has produced successful teams and notable players.
C-USA offers a platform for teams to showcase their talent and compete for conference championships, especially institutions from the Southern and Western United States. The conference continues to grow and evolve under the leadership of Commissioner Judy MacLeod.
Division I FBS Independents
The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Independent schools are composed of institutions not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. It was founded in 1978 and currently has four teams. Unlike in other conferences, these teams are not required to schedule each other for competition.
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. It was created in 1946 and is currently led by Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. The 12 members of the conference are from the Great Lakes region. This is the reason why its headquarters is located in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mountain West Conference
With headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Mountain West Conference covers the Western United States area. The conference, under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, officially began its operations on January 4, 1999. Its new commissioner, Gloria Nevarez, leads a conference of 11 institutions with diverse backgrounds and philosophies.
Pac-12 Conference
Founded in 1915, the Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate athletic conference under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. It has been known to fans and pundits as the Conference of Champions since it has bagged more NCAA national championships than any other conference in the NCAA.
Its membership includes flagship public universities and private research universities. However, membership is expected to drop from 12 to two as part of the continuous NCAA conference realignment. The only teams remaining would be Oregon State and Washington State.
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) comprises 15 institutions between East and West divisions established in 1932. It is under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, with membership primarily located in South Central and Southeastern United States—the current headquarters is in Birmingham, Alabama.
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference (SBC) is under the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Its 14 member institutions are led by Commissioner Keith Gill. The conference members are from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Its headquarters is located in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the 11 conference in college football holds great importance in the sport. It provides a platform for teams to compete against each other, showcasing their skills and talent. The conference also fosters a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition among member schools, promoting the growth and development of college football in the United States.
