UPDATE: The defending national champion North Dakota State Bison have been named the No. 1 seed in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, leading an unprecedented six teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) into the postseason. This announcement was made earlier today, confirming North Dakota State’s dominance as they prepare for their 16th consecutive appearance in the playoffs.
The Bison, boasting a perfect record of 12-0, secured their top seed after a commanding 62-7 victory over St. Thomas-Minnesota last Saturday, extending their winning streak to 16 games. The FCS playoff field comprises 24 teams, including 11 automatic qualifiers and 13 at-large selections. The playoffs kick off this Saturday, with first-round matchups primarily determined by geographical proximity.
The championship game is set for January 5, 2025, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Following closely behind North Dakota State, Montana State (10-2) earned the No. 2 seed after defeating their rivals, Montana, in a thrilling 31-28 contest to clinch the Big Sky Conference championship.
Other top seeds include Montana at No. 3, Tarleton State at No. 4, and Lehigh at No. 5, all showcasing remarkable seasons. The top eight seeds will enjoy a first-round bye, setting them up to host second-round games.
In a historic moment, the Ivy League is participating in the playoffs for the first time. Yale, having defeated Harvard 45-28 for the Ivy title, secured an automatic bid, while Harvard joins as an at-large team.
First-round games include exciting matchups such as:
– Illinois State (8-4) at Southeastern Louisiana (9-3)
– Central Connecticut State (8-4) at Rhode Island (10-2)
– Harvard (9-1) at Villanova (9-2)
– North Dakota (7-5) at Tennessee Tech (11-1)
– New Hampshire (8-4) at South Dakota State (8-4)
– Drake (8-3) at South Dakota (8-4)
– Lamar (8-4) at Abilene Christian (8-4)
– Yale (8-2) at Youngstown State (8-4)
Fans are eagerly anticipating these matchups as the playoffs approach, with the stakes higher than ever. Stay tuned for updates on this thrilling tournament as it unfolds.
Follow us for more updates and alerts on the AP Top 25 throughout the season and get ready for an electrifying playoff atmosphere!
