Montana State captured the top seed in the 24-team FCS playoff bracket, while South Dakota State, the two-time defending national champion, snagged the third seed. The first-round games, set for Saturday, will include matchups such as UT Martin vs. New Hampshire, Lehigh vs. Richmond, and Tennessee State vs. Montana, all to be broadcast on ESPN-plus.
The top 16 teams were seeded, with North Dakota State, South Dakota, UC Davis, and Incarnate Word making up the top six. The tournament field includes teams from a variety of conferences, with the Missouri Valley Conference boasting three of the top four seeds.
While North Dakota State and South Dakota State have dominated the FCS in recent years, Montana State is poised to challenge their supremacy. With an explosive offense that led the FCS in scoring and total offense, the Bobcats are aiming to end the Dakotas’ stranglehold on the national title.
The playoff schedule includes second-round games on Dec. 7, quarterfinals on Dec. 13-14, and semifinals on Dec. 21, all to be broadcast by ESPN networks. The championship game will take place on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, and will be broadcast on ESPN.
The tournament features automatic bids for conference champions, including Montana State, South Dakota State, and Central Connecticut State. The Big Sky Conference leads with five teams in the field, followed by the Missouri Valley and Coastal Athletic Association with four each. With a competitive field and exciting matchups ahead, FCS fans are in for an action-packed postseason.
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