Last Four In: Youngstown State, McNeese State, Samford, Central Arkansas
First Four Out: New Hampshire, Cal Poly, William & Mary, Villanova
Here comes the “FBS Beaters Club” update…two more join this week, bringing the total to ten. This week’s new members are Central Arkansas (beating Arkansas State) and Western Illinois (beating Northern Illinois). Western Illinois was already well entrenched within the field. However, Central Arkansas has finally made the jump from just outside into the field. Considering their schedule, if they are able to beat those they should, the Bears should be in really good shape come Thanksgiving season.
Dropping out this week is William & Mary. The Tribe lost to Elon, which was unexpected by most pundits. With a brutal Colonial schedule still ahead, there are very few mishaps they can afford. Ironically, three of the four teams hovering just off the radar are from the Colonial. William & Mary plays New Hampshire next week and the loser could be in major trouble down the stretch.
The one other team to join the bracket this week is Sacred Heart. Of course, the Northeast Conference is almost surely a single-bid league, but this week’s results warranted a change. Sacred Heart took down the same Stony Brook team who put a beating on Richmond last week. And at 4-0, it’s hard to disagree.
The Missouri Valley continues to project to six teams in the field. In fact, their spots solidified this week. That is likely to change in the coming weeks as all ten MVFC teams get into conference play next week. Cannibalism is sure to take place. The Southern Conference continues to hold strong with four projected in, but the game between Samford and Wofford this week just might be an elimination game when the committee evaluates at the end of the season.
Big Sky (2): Eastern Washington, Montana
Big South (1): Charleston Southern
Colonial (3): Richmond, James Madison, Albany
Missouri Valley (6): North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Youngstown State
Northeast (1): Sacred Heart
Ohio Valley (2): Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois
Patriot (1): Fordham
Pioneer (1): San Diego
Southern (4): Chattanooga, The Citadel, Wofford, Samford
Southland (3): Sam Houston State, McNeese State, Central Arkansas
