Last Four In: Tennessee State, Delaware, South Dakota State, Youngstown State
First Four Out: New Hampshire, Jacksonville State, Wofford, South Carolina State
Charleston Southern’s stunning 31-26 Big South victory over previously unbeaten No. 5 Coastal Carolina puts a different spin on the upcoming FCS playoffs. The Buccaneers still have tough games with Gardner-Webb and Liberty, but if they win those, they get the league’s automatic bid. Meanwhile, even with its first loss, Coastal Carolina figures to get a playoff bid, too. While the Chanticleers finish against South Carolina, next week’s game against Presbyterian is one in which they should win. A 10-2 Coastal Carolina would be difficult to keep out of the playoffs. That means one of the big conferences: MVFC, CAA or even the Southern Conference could lose a possible spot. At this juncture, it’s likely the Southern Conference could take that hit. If Chattanooga beats Samford on Saturday, the Mocs get the league’s automatic bid. But if they lose, they could be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs because they face Alabama to end the season. Wofford, meanwhile, needs to beat Appalachian State and Furman to have any shot. In the Missouri Valley Football Conference, it’s possible the league could get just three bids. North Dakota State will obviously go, and even if Youngstown State (which lost to Northern Iowa today) loses to North Dakota State and South Dakota State, the Penguins likely will go. South Dakota State (6-4) could be the third entry, but every other team in the league now has at least five losses (Southern Illinois saw its chance at a playoff bid dwindle with a loss to Missouri State). At this point, it seems likely that the Big Sky and CAA will get four teams each in the playoffs.
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
Big Sky: Eastern Washington, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona
Big South: Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina
CAA: Maine, Towson, William & Mary, Delaware
MEAC: Bethune-Cookman
MVFC: North Dakota State, Youngstown State, South Dakota State
NEC: Robert Morris
OVC: Eastern Illinois, Tennessee State
Patriot: Colgate, Fordham
Pioneer: San Diego
Southern: Chattanooga
Southland: Sam Houston State, SE Louisiana, McNeese State
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket