2012 FCS Playoff Bracketology: Week Six

Sept 15, 2012; Laramie, WY, USA; Cal Poly Mustangs wide receiver Ryan Taylor (18) and teammates celebrate a win over the Wyoming Cowboys. The Mustangs beat the Cowboys 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-US PRESSWIRE

FCS Bracketolgy is back as we’re inching closer and closer to the midway point of the season!

As always, the bracket below is what it would look like if the playoffs started tomorrow.

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

• Ouch.  Montana is 2-3 and 0-2 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1992 after a 32-26 loss to Eastern Washington meaning the Grizzlies won’t even be in the discussion, while the Eagles improve their place in the bracket slightly with the win.
• Even worse off, at least in the standings, is Northern Iowa with a 1-4 record.  Although, the four losses have been to Wisconsin, Iowa, Youngstown State, and North Dakota State last week, the Panthers need to actually win a game or two before they find their way back in the bracket.  They take on Southern Illinois this week.
• Cal Poly has been looking great so far this season especially with a win over Wyoming, and last week’s win against a solid North Dakota team buts the Mustangs at 4-0 and in the bracket this week.
• With Central Arkansas’s 42-37 loss to Stephen F. Austin, it’s really tough to figure the Southland so far.  We’ll give the automatic-bid back to Sam Houston State, but keep in mind the conference race is wide open early on especially with McNeese State in the mix too.
• New Hampshire still finds themselves on the outside looking in after a 34-14 win over Delaware.  The Wildcats will have a great opportunity to pick up some wins within the next few weeks as their schedule lightens up, including Georgia State this week.
• Chattanooga pulled off a solid 28-10 win over The Citadel, however, it’s tough to take the Bulldogs out of the bracket given their strong wins against Georgia Southern and Appalachian State.  However, the margin is slim with a showdown against Samford this week.
• Other big wins among teams currently in the bracket include Stony Brook with a 23-3 win over Army and Eastern Kentucky with a 28-16 over Tennessee-Martin.

Automatic-Bids:

Big Sky: Montana State

Big South: Stony Brook

Colonial: James Madison

Mid-Eastern: Howard

Missouri Valley: North Dakota State

Northeastern: Albany

Ohio Valley: Eastern Kentucky

Patriot: Lehigh

Southern: Appalachian State

Southland: Sam Houston State

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

Big Sky: *Cal Poly, Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona

Colonial: Old Dominion, *Towson

Missouri Valley: *Illinois State, Youngstown State

Southern: The Citadel, Georgia Southern, *Wofford

Last Four Out: Central Arkansas, New Hampshire, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State

The Field:
(*  = home field advantage) 

*#1 North Dakota State
Lehigh/Albany

*Appalachian State
Northern Arizona

*#5 Montana State
Towson

*#4 James Madison
Eastern Kentucky/Wofford

*#3 Old Dominion
Illinois State/Cal Poly

*Eastern Washington
Georgia Southern

*Sam Houston State
The Citadel

*#2 Youngstown State
Stony Brook/Howard