Last Four In: South Carolina State, William & Mary, Youngstown State, Northern Arizona
First Four Out: Montana State, Liberty, Furman, Central Arkansas
North Dakota State can’t win again, can it? Just when you thought it might be time to crown another FCS king this year, the Bison showed on Saturday that they’ll have to be reckoned with again this season with a 34-14 victory over FBS Iowa State. North Dakota State has now won five consecutive games against FBS opponents. They were No. 3 in the College Sports Madness preseason poll, but after Saturday, we’re moving them to No. 1.
Although FCS schools didn’t fare nearly as well this year in openers against FBS opponents, there are a couple of things we think we can project at this very early juncture of the season. Keep these schools in mind because they figure to be on the playoff bubble at the end of November: Southern Illinois, William & Mary, Richmond, Northern Arizona, Furman, Central Arkansas and Montana State.
The CAA, which figures to be loaded this season, took somewhat of a hit this weekend when Delaware got embarrassed by Pitt, 62-0, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score, James Madison got thrashed by Maryland while last year’s national runner-up, Towson, fell to Central Connecticut State. And Maine just got by Norfolk State, so less than stellar seasons from that group could open the door for Richmond and William & Mary to secure playoff bids.
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
Big Sky: *Eastern Washington, Montana, Northern Arizona
Big South: *Coastal Carolina
CAA: *Villanova, New Hampshire, Richmond, William & Mary
MEAC: *Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State
MVFC: *North Dakota State, Youngstown State, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa
NEC: *Sacred Heart
OVC: *Jacksonville State, Tennessee State
Patriot: *Fordham
Pioneer: *San Diego
Southern: *Chattanooga, Wofford
Southland: *SE Louisiana, Sam Houston State, McNeese State
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
