Last Four In: Sam Houston State, Liberty, Southern Illinois, William & Mary
First Four Out: James Madison, Youngstown State, Sacred Heart, Charleston Southern
It wasn’t long ago that the Big South Conference was an afterthought. It didn’t get much respect and certainly not many teams in the FCS playoffs. But that might be changing. Unbeaten Coastal Carolina has moved up to No. 6 in the CSM rankings while Liberty stunned FBS Appalachian State Saturday and Charleston Southern lost to Vanderbilt 21-20. It’s unlikely all three will make the playoffs, but it’s a good bet that two will (most likely Coastal Carolina and the winner of the Liberty-Charleston Southern game).
The Missouri Valley Football Conference continues to be a tight race with unbeaten No. 1 North Dakota State the team to beat. Expect five teams to make the playoffs and really, at this point it’s anyone’s guess because there are so many conference games yet to be played.
William & Mary certainly wasn’t expected to beat New Hampshire this weekend, but the 32-3 shellacking erodes some of the confidence we had in the Tribe. They face Villanova this week and still must play Richmond, too. The bottom line? The CAA could send three teams to the playoffs instead of the expected four and if that happens, could a second NEC team – Sacred Heart – make the tournament?
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
Big Sky: *Eastern Washington, Montana, Montana State
Big South: *Coastal Carolina, Liberty
CAA: *Villanova, New Hampshire, Richmond, William & Mary
MEAC: *Bethune-Cookman
MVFC: *North Dakota State, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, South Dakota State
NEC: *Bryant
OVC: *Jacksonville State, Eastern Kentucky
Patriot: *Fordham
Pioneer: *Jacksonville
Southern: *Chattanooga
Southland: *SE Louisiana, McNeese State, Sam Houston State
* Automatic bid
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
