2012 FCS Playoff Bracketology: Week Eight
By Shaun Bummer
Sept 15, 2012; Laramie, WY, USA; Cal Poly Mustangs wide receiver Kristaan Ivory (5) is tackled by Wyoming Cowboys linebacker Ghaali Muhammad (23) during the second quarter. The Mustangs beat the Cowboys 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-US PRESSWIRE
FCS Playoff Bracketology returns as we move past the midway point of the season, and after a wild week seven of action, this week’s bracket sees many changes.
As always, the bracket below is what it would look like if the playoffs started tomorrow. That includes the automatic-bids going to the current leader of the conference (example: Southeastern Louisiana receiving the Southland auto-bid this week).
This week’s bracket sees Eastern Washington move up to the top seed thanks in part to a big victory over Montana State and losses by North Dakota State, Old Dominion, and Wofford. James Madison and Georgia Southern also benefited this week thanks to the FCS’s top three teams losing. Also, some serious respect goes to Tennesse State as the Tigers are surprisingly 7-0 and 3-0 in OVC play as they face Jacksonville State this Saturday.
Automatic-Bids:
Big Sky: #1 Eastern Washington
Big South: #10 Stony Brook
Colonial: #2 James Madison
Mid-Eastern: Bethune-Cookman
Missouri Valley: #20 South Dakota State
Northeastern: Albany
Ohio Valley: #17 Tennessee State
Patriot: #9 Lehigh
Southern: #3 Georgia Southern
Southland: Southeastern Louisiana
At-Large Bids:
Big Sky: #14 Cal Poly, #5 Montana State
Colonial: #12 New Hampshire, #7 Old Dominion
Missouri Valley: #11 Illinois State, #4 North Dakota State, #15 Youngstown State
Southern: #13 Appalachian State, #8 Wofford
Southland: #6 Sam Houston State
Last Four Out: #19 Central Arkansas, #23 Eastern Kentucky, #21 Indiana State, #16 Northern Arizona
The Field:
(* = home field advantage)
*#1 Eastern Washington
South Dakota State/Southeast Louisiana
*Sam Houston State
Appalachian State
*#5 Montana State
Illinois State
*#4 North Dakota State
New Hampshire/Cal Poly
*#3 Georgia Southern
Tennessee State/Bethune-Cookman
*Wofford
Youngstown State
*Old Dominion
Lehigh
*#2 James Madison
Stony Brook/Albany