Here are a few clarifications for the playoff field of 20: The Ivy League does not participate in the playoffs- The SWAC will send its division champions to the SWAC title game. Teams ineligible: ???. A team must also reach 7 D1 wins to be eligible for an at large berth most likely. ALSO there are teams with still a chance of winning their Autobid but I have not listed due to upcoming schedule and belief that they will lose but will add back in coming weeks as the potential field shrinks.
Below, are prospects of FCS teams that can still entertain realistic playoff hopes. Schools are ranked by their chances of making the playoffs, as determined by Me. Current overall and conference records are in parentheses, and each teams remaining schedule is listed with a brief synopsis of its chances. The adds of AQ means they received the Autobid or IN means I believe they have already made the field,regardless of how they finish. The rank below is based on being in the playoffs not where I believe they will be seated
1. Robert Morris (8-1, 7-0 NEC)
The Games: at Bryant
Outlook: AQ Get ready for Round 1 you are in.
2. Appalachian State (8-1, 6-1 Southern)
The Games: Wofford, at Florida
Outlook: IN As I thought ASU hit a Wall on Saturday now a must win vs Wofford but regardless they have already qualified. Win the next two and get a top two seed.
3. Jacksonville State (8-1, 5-1 OVC)
The Games: SEMO St, at Tenn Tech
Outlook: IN Jax State also had a rough weekend but they need to regroup a huge game this weekend and if they win out they are back in discussion for a Top seed.
4. Wofford (8-1, 6-0 Southern)
The Games: at ASU, UTC
Outlook: IN How did everyone miss this the Terriers appear to be the best team in the SoCon and next week that will be determined on the field. In line for a Top Seed.
5. Delaware (8-1, 5-1 CAA)
The Games: at UMass, Villanova
Outlook: IN Delaware looks to be the number 2 team this week and they are in line for a top two seed if they win out.
6. Montana State (8-2, 6-1 Big Sky)
The Games: at Montana
Outlook: IN The Bobcats once again control their destiny but the showdown with Montana awaits
7. Bethune Cookman (9-0. 6-0 MEAC)
The Games: Howard, at Fla. A&M
Outlook: IN A narrow escape and other losses are making this team look like a top seed
8. SE MO State (8-1, 6-0 OVC)
The Games: at Jax St.
Outlook: IN Another surprise this year and they have a real shot of winning the Autobid in this week with a monster game perhaps a top seed?
9. William & Mary (7-2, 5-1 CAA)
The Games: at JMU, Richmond
Outlook: Perhaps the number 1 team this week not sure why 2 losses should not put you at number 1 but I will go with it. Still two tough games ahead and while I think they are in not ready to call it I hear there are QB injuries that could change everything.
10. Villanova (6-3, 4-2 CAA)
The Games: N. Hamp, at Delaware
Outlook: Talk about your bad weekends Villanova is in a mess why take a look at the next two games win one and you secure a postseason berth.
11. SF Austin (7-2, 4-1 Southland)
The Games: SE Louis, NWstern St.
Outlook: Looks as if the remaining schedule favors the Lumberjacks as they cannot afford to lose another.
12. Liberty (7-2, 4-0 Big South)
The Games: at Coastal Car., Stony Brook
Outlook: The flames just need to win out and they will play most likely in Round 1.
13. E. Washington (7-2, 6-1 Big Sky)
The Games: S. Utah, Idaho State
Outlook: EW needs to win out to stay in the discussion and conference race.
14. Lehigh (7-2, 3-0 Patriot)
The Games: at Georgetown, at Layfayette
Outlook: Lehigh seems to be the lone team alive from the Patriot and if they win out will most likely play in round 1.
15. Cal Poly (7-3, 2-1 Great West)
The Games: UC Davis
Outlook: A team that is looking like it needs help any loss will dash their playoff hopes.
16. South Carolina State (7-2. 5-1 MEAC)
The Games: at Morgan State, at NC A&T
Outlook: A top 10 team most of the year I think SCST is still in control of a playoff berth but they have to win out 1 loss will make it difficult.
17. Northern Iowa (6-3, 5-1 MVC)
The Games: MO St, at W. Illinois
Outlook: A wild race that UNI still can control will they?
18. Montana (6-3, 5-2 Big Sky)
The Games: North Dakota, at Montana State
Outlook: The Grizzles have not been playing norm this year and if not careful could put themselves out of playoff contention with another loss.
19. Massachussets (6-3, 4-2 CAA)
The Games: at Delaware, R. Island
Outlook: I like the chances of Mass but they need to win out and they need a big victory this weekend over Delaware.
20. Ga Southern (5-4, 3-3 Southern)
The Games: at WCU, at Furman
Outlook: Just like I said they did beat ASU and now I believe they will win out and host a first round game.
21. North Dakota State (6-3, 3-3 MVC)
The Games: SDakSt, at MOSt
Outlook: Need to keep winning and secure a post season berth.
22. Western Illinois (6-3, 4-2 MVC)
The Games: at S. Illinois, UNI
Outlook: Will need to win out and I believe they are in.
23. New Hampshire (5-4, 3-3 CAA)
The Games: at Villanova, Towson
Outlook: A big loss they must win out to secure a bid
24. Furman (5-4, 3-3 Southern)
The Games: at Elon, GSU
Outlook: Still in the mix if they can win out!
25. Chattanooga (5-4, 4-2 Southern)
The Games: Samford, at Wofford
Outlook: The best 4 loss team in the country can they get in with 4 losses oh and they have to win the last two.
26. Central Arkansas (6-3, 3-2 Southland)
The Games: Sam Houston St., McNeese St.
Outlook: They must win out the McNeese St game could decide a playoff berth.
27. S. Utah (6-4, 4-0 Great West)
The Games: at E. Washington
Outlook: A lot of press for S. Utah all of a sudden a win over EWU will be helpful but how does their schedule look to the committee.
28. Jacksonville (9-1, 7-0 Pioneer)
The Games: Campbell
Outlook: The game at ASU was the real test one they lost but they are putting up impressive numbers to be in the discussion they need the CAA to start eliminating each other.
29. Richmond (5-4, 3-3 CAA)
The Games: R. Island, at W&M
Outlook: The Spiders are still alive and if they run the table will grab a playoff spot
30. Florida A&M (6-3. 5-1 MEAC)
The Games: Hampton, Bethune Cookman
Outlook: Still alive but how many bids will this conference get? I say two .
31. McNeese State (5-4, 4-1 Southland)
The Games: Texas St, at Central Arkansas
Outlook: Now they must win the next two for an at large.
32. Stony Brook (5-4, 4-0 Big South)
The Games: Gardner Webb, at Liberty
Outlook: Can win the Big South can they beat Liberty!
Below are my current projections for the I-AA playoff field and possible match-ups, based on expectations for the remaining games this season.
Automatic Bids: Patriot: Lehigh, A10: W&M, Big Sky: Montana State, Southland: SFA, Southern: Wofford, Gateway: N.Iowa., MEAC: Bethune Cookman, OVC: Jacksonville State: Big South: Liberty :NEC: Robert Morris
At-large: ASU, SEMOSt, GSU, Villanova, Delaware, MASS, E.Wash, Cal Poly, SCSt, NDakSt
Seeds: Villanova, W&M, Bethune Cookman, Jax State , Wofford
Last In: Cal Poly, MASS, GSU
Last Out: W. Ill, McNeese St, Jacksonville
Bracket I:
Robert Morris @ Liberty winner at No. 1 W&M
E Wash @ UNI
Cal Poly @ NDak St. winner at No. 4 Bethune Cookman
Villanova @ No. 5 Jax State
Bracket II:
Lehigh @ MASS at No. 3 Delaware
SFA @ Montana State
SCSt. @ GSU winner at No. 2 Wofford
SEMO St @ ASU
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