Last Four In: Wofford, Eastern Kentucky, Samford, Albany
First Four Out: Youngstown State, Northern Arizona, Eastern Illinois, Southern Utah
As difficult as the first week is to weigh FCS schools when they play so many FBS programs, the second week isn’t much easier. There are still a mess of variables and not a lot of concrete answers. One thing that has been learned is that the FCS is not lying down for their FBS brethren. Three more teams joined the “FBS Beaters Club” this week - Illinois State (over Northwestern), Eastern Illinois (over Miami OH) and North Carolina A&T (over Kent State). That brings us to a total of seven, which is a nice total only two weeks in for the “little guys.” And there are more opportunities next week.
Joining the bracket this week are Samford and Albany. Samford won a big inter-conference showdown against Central Arkansas. Sitting a 2-0 is a nice place to start, but getting to take two weeks to prepare for your biggest game of the year is even better. A win against Chattanooga would set the FCS world on its ear and force them to pay attention. Albany beat a down Rhode Island team, which by itself would mean very little. However, being one of the seven teams to beat an FBS school, adds to that feat. Looking ahead in their schedule also, who knows? There’s enough uncertainty in their upcoming opponents, maybe a seven-win campaign is possible. But we’re still going to keep them on a short leash, at least for now.
Elsewhere, North Dakota State, Richmond and Chattanooga all look like major players at this point. Montana made a huge statement, winning at Northern Iowa. Probably too early to write off the Panthers either, but that schedule is a monster and they haven’t even got into MVFC play yet. The MVFC has entrenched itself as the top conference in the early going, but the CAA and SoCon are determined to give them a run for their money.
Big Sky (2): Eastern Washington, Montana
Big South (1): Charleston Southern
Colonial (5): Richmond, James Madison, William & Mary, New Hampshire, Albany
Missouri Valley (5): North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Illinois State, Western Illinois
Northeast (1): St. Francis
Ohio Valley (2): Jacksonville State, Eastern Kentucky
Patriot (1): Fordham
Pioneer (1): San Diego
Southern (4): Chattanooga, The Citadel, Wofford, Samford
Southland (2): Sam Houston State, McNeese State
