Last Four In: Wofford, New Hampshire, Portland State, Eastern Kentucky
First Four Out: Youngstown State, North Dakota, Central Arkansas, Albany
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
It’s really difficult to get a bearing on how to sort teams in FCS out the first week or three since so many of them play opponents from the FBS. And most of those are usually losses. But four upsets happened this first weekend; Richmond (over Virginia), Northern Iowa (over Iowa State), Eastern Washington (over Washington State) and Albany (over Buffalo). Those first three figured to be contenders this year, but the Danes of Albany have put themselves on the contender’s map with just one big victory.
Looking elsewhere, the three predominant power conferences in FCS (Big Sky, Colonial, Missouri Valley) are all solid right now with four or more teams in the projected bracket. In fact, the MVFC is really close to landing a sixth. That would be an unprecedented record if that were to happen. The Southern and Southland Conferences appear to be in good shape as multi-bid leagues initially. The Ohio Valley stands that way right now, but their conference as a whole had a very rough beginning.
Monster inter-conference match-ups next week include a trifecta of marquee games pitting the Big Sky against the Missouri Valley. Early season playoff implications will surround those games. Most of those schools who didn’t play FBS opponents this week get their payday next week.
Big Sky (4): Eastern Washington, Montana, Northern Arizona, Portland State
Big South (1): Charleston Southern
Colonial (4): Richmond, James Madison, William & Mary, New Hampshire
Missouri Valley (5): North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Illinois State, Western Illinois
Northeast (1): St. Francis
Ohio Valley (2): Jacksonville State, Eastern Kentucky
Patriot (1): Fordham
Pioneer (1): San Diego
Southern (3): Chattanooga, The Citadel, Wofford
Southland (2): Sam Houston State, McNeese State
See the FCS Football Projected Bracket
