Last Four In: Illinois State, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Northern Iowa
First Five Out: Maine, Austin Peay, Furman, Sacramento State, Delaware
As if the beginning of 2018 would be any different than any other season. A few mammoth upsets, a top 25 clash and four FCS victories over the FBS - which we really enjoy here. With that said, let’s all give a hand to UC Davis (over San Jose State), Nicholls (over Kansas), Villanova (over Temple) and Northern Arizona (over UTEP). There were a few other close calls, but hopefully, there’s still more to follow.
Looking at this week’s bracket, there’s some major movement. It’s always hardest to not overreact and move teams in or out of the bracket based on one result. For that matter, it’s difficult to keep from even completely altering the bracket. For instance, the teams winning against FBS programs. Though, three of the four were already in the bracket and the fourth, UC Davis, was one of last week’s first eight out. So really, those were all justified.
The Colonial losses by New Hampshire to Maine and Delaware to Rhode Island were very taxing on consideration. New Hampshire’s loss was not as shocking as by the margin for which they tumbled. In the end, they stay in for now, but the leash is shortened. By the same token, Maine is right on the cusp and a win over FBS Western Kentucky will push them in regardless of what happens elsewhere next week. Delaware, it was decided to drop from the bracket, even with their closer loss to Rhode Island. But this was more of the fact that Rhode Island has been on the bottom of the CAA for years. Who knows? Maybe later on, Rhode Island improves dramatically and this loss won’t seem so bad.
Big Sky (5): *Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Montana, UC Davis, Montana State
Big South (1): *Kennesaw State
Colonial (4): *James Madison, Villanova, Elon, New Hampshire
Missouri Valley (5): *North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Illinois State, South Dakota, Northern Iowa
Northeast (1): *Bryant
Ohio Valley (1): *Jacksonville State
Patriot (1): *Colgate
Pioneer (1): *San Diego
Southern (2): *Samford, Furman
Southland (3): *Sam Houston State, Nicholls, McNeese
* denotes conference’s projected automatic qualifier
