2024 FCS Playoffs Automatic Bid Tracker And Scenarios: A Critical Examination
The 2024 Football Championship Series (FCS) playoffs are set to begin on November 23, 2024. As the regular season winds down, the race for the automatic bids to the playoffs intensifies. As the regular season concludes, automatic bids and at-large bids are awarded for the FCS Playoffs. Let’s break down the process.
Automatic Bids
A total of 11 automatic bids are awarded to conference champions. The following conferences receive automatic bids:
| Conference | Automatic Bid |
|---|---|
| ASUN Conference | ASUN Champion |
| Big Sky Conference | Big Sky Champion |
| Colonial Athletic Association | CAA Champion |
| Missouri Valley Football Conference | MVFC Champion |
| Northeast Conference | NEC Champion |
| Ohio Valley Conference | OVC Champion |
| Patriot League | Patriot League Champion |
| Southern Conference | SoCon Champion |
| Southland Conference | Southland Champion |
| Western Athletic Conference | WAC Champion |
| Ivy League | Ivy League Champion |
The Ivy League does not participate in the FCS playoffs but is included in this list for completeness as it is an FCS conference champion.
At-Large Bids
In addition to the automatic bids, 11 at-large bids are awarded to the highest-ranked teams that do not receive an automatic bid. The at-large bids are determined by the FCS selection committee.
Current Standings
As of November 12, 2024, the following teams are in position to receive automatic bids to the FCS playoffs:
| Conference | Team |
|---|---|
| ASUN Conference | Jacksonville State University |
| Big Sky Conference | Montana State University |
| Colonial Athletic Association | Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens |
| Missouri Valley Football Conference | South Dakota State Jackrabbits |
| Northeast Conference | Duquesne University |
| Ohio Valley Conference | UT Martin Skyhawks |
| Patriot League | Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Southern Conference | Wofford College |
| Southland Conference | Northwestern State University |
| Western Athletic Conference | Stephen F. Austin State University |
Several teams are still in contention for at-large bids, including the following:
| Team | Conference |
|---|---|
| Furman University | Southern Conference |
| Kennesaw State University | ASUN Conference |
| Montana Grizzlies | Big Sky Conference |
| New Hampshire Wildcats | Colonial Athletic Association |
| Southern Illinois Salukis | Missouri Valley Football Conference |
| Villanova Wildcats | Colonial Athletic Association |
Scenarios
The final week of the regular season will determine which teams receive automatic bids to the FCS playoffs. Here are some possible scenarios:
### Scenario 1: No upsets
If the top teams in each conference win their final games, the automatic bids will be awarded as follows:
| Conference | Team |
|---|---|
| ASUN Conference | Jacksonville State University |
| Big Sky Conference | Montana State University |
| Colonial Athletic Association | Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens |
| Missouri Valley Football Conference | South Dakota State Jackrabbits |
| Northeast Conference | Duquesne University |
| Ohio Valley Conference | UT Martin Skyhawks |
| Patriot League | Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Southern Conference | Wofford College |
| Southland Conference | Northwestern State University |
| Western Athletic Conference | Stephen F. Austin State University |
### Scenario 2: FCS Upsets
Multiple Upsets would shake up the automatic bids, such as Montana State losing to Montana or South Dakota State losing to Southern Illinois. New teams would then be in line to receive the automatic bids.
### Scenario 3: Chaos Ensues
With so many teams in contention for at-large bids, it’s possible that the selection committee could make some controversial decisions. Teams like Furman, Kennesaw State, and New Hampshire could all be left out of the playoffs despite having strong seasons, while more well-known teams with weaker records could sneak in.
Conclusion
The 2024 FCS Playoffs are shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With several teams vying for automatic bids and at-large bids, there’s no shortage of drama and intrigue. The final week of the regular season will be crucial in determining which teams will make the playoffs, and the selection committee’s decisions will be closely scrutinized. One thing is for sure: the 2024 FCS Playoffs are sure to provide plenty of excitement and drama.
