Last Four In: Northern Arizona, Towson, Southeastern Louisiana, Western Illinois
First Four Out: Portland State, Western Carolina, Liberty, Indiana State
Richmond is the story this week as the Spiders went into Harrisonburg, Virginia, and upset James Madison, 59-49, to spoil the Dukes’ GameDay experience with ESPN. We also learned in the CAA that New Hampshire and Villanova are in big trouble. The Wildcats, who hold the nation’s longest playoff appearance at 11 straight seasons, were beaten by Delaware. Meanwhile, don’t look now but the Towson Tigers, who knocked off Villanova, could make the playoffs. The Tigers (4-3) have four games remaining and three appear winnable: Delaware, Maine, at William & Mary and Rhode Island.
Although it has been up and down, Southeastern Louisiana could give the Southland Conference three playoff teams for one simple reason. The Lions don’t face Sam Houston State this season and if they can get by Central Arkansas on Saturday, the rest of their schedule is doable.
Meanwhile, there are just too many scenarios in the Big Sky and Missouri Valley Football Conference to sort them all out. But one thing we did learn this weekend is that despite its losing record, Northern Iowa is a good football team, beating South Dakota State, 10-7. The Panthers could still reach the playoffs, too.
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
Big Sky: Eastern Washington, Montana State, Montana, Northern Arizona
Big South: Coastal Carolina, Charleston Southern
CAA: James Madison, Towson, William & Mary, Richmond
MVFC: Illinois State, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Western Illinois, Northern Iowa
NEC: Bryant
OVC: Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State
Patriot: Fordham
Pioneer: Dayton
Southern: Chattanooga
Southland: Sam Houston State, McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
