Last Four In: Southern Illinois, Tennessee State, Samford, New Hampshire
First Four Out: Chattanooga, Bethune-Cookman, Tennessee Martin, Central Arkansas
It appears New Hampshire (3-3), which has been to the FCS playoffs nine consecutive years (longest streak in the nation), wants to keep its playoff streak intact. The Wildcats won a thrilling 29-28 contest over Villanova on Saturday that puts New Hampshire in the middle of the Colonial Athletic Association playoff picture. Several difficult games remain, including one at Stony Brook (Oct. 26), but the Wildcats needed to beat Villanova to have a chance and they achieved that goal. Meanwhile, in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois (4-4) might have lost to No. 1 North Dakota State on Saturday, but the Salukis gained by having Northern Iowa and South Dakota State lose. There are no “gimmies” in the MVFC, but Southern Illinois has a decent shot at gaining a playoff berth if it wins its final four games – all winnable contests. And, if Coastal Carolina (7-0) and Fordham (8-0) keep winning, they could end up with high seeds in the playoffs as other teams continue to fall.
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
Big Sky: Eastern Washington, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona
Big South: Coastal Carolina
CAA: Maine, New Hampshire, Towson, Villanova
MEAC: South Carolina State
MVFC: North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Youngstown State, Southern Illinois
NEC: Sacred Heart
OVC: Eastern Illinois, Tennessee State
Patriot: Lehigh, Fordham
Pioneer: Butler
Southern: Wofford, Samford
Southland: Sam Houston State, McNeese State
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
