2012 FCS Playoff Bracketology: Week Four

September 15, 2012; Syracuse, NY, USA; Stony Brook Seawolves running back Marcus Coker (34) runs past Syracuse Orange cornerback Keon Lyn (8) during the second half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-US PRESSWIRE
It was a big week three in FCS college football, and SaturdayBlitz.com is here to keep you updated with the latest in bracketology.

As always, the bracket below is what it would look like if the playoffs started tomorrow.  Additionally as the season progresses, automatic bids will actually go to the teams leading the conference standings instead of a prediction on who will receive it.

Here are some “quick kicks” about this week’s bracket:

• The Citadel makes a huge leap into the bracket – while earning the SoCon automatic bid in the process – with a 52-28 win over Appalachian State.
• McNeese State enters the bracket with a solid 35-21 win over Weber State.
• Cal Poly jumps into the discussion with a 24-22 win over Wyoming.

Automatic-Bids:

Big Sky: Eastern Washington

Big South: Stony Brook

Colonial: James Madison

Mid-Eastern: Bethune-Cookman

Missouri Valley: North Dakota State

Northeastern: Albany

Ohio Valley: Jacksonville State

Patriot: Lehigh

Southern: The Citadel

Southland: Sam Houston State

At-Large Bids:
(* = last four in)

Big Sky: *Montana, Montana State

Colonial: Old Dominion, *Towson

Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa, Youngstown State

Southern: Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, *Wofford

Southland: *McNeese State

Last Four Out: Cal Poly, Delaware, Illinois State, Indiana State

The Field:
(*  = home field advantage) 

*#1 North Dakota State
Stony Brook/Lehigh

*Appalachian State
Old Dominion

*#5 James Madison
The Citadel

*#4 Montana State
McNeese State/Jacksonville State

*#3 Northern Iowa
Wofford/Bethune-Cookman

*Georgia Southern
Eastern Washington

*Montana
Youngstown State

*#2 Sam Houston State
Towson/Albany