Two weeks remain until Selection Sunday, and there are several FCS games with huge playoff implications still to come.
Here are 10 games that will have the biggest impact on the FCS playoff field.
*Week 12 rankings via the Stats Perform Media Poll.
Week 12 (Nov. 15)
No. 14 Illinois State at No. 16 South Dakota State
SDSU is sliding down as the injuries are mounting up, now 7-3 with three straight losses. Illinois State, meanwhile, is also 7-3 (7-2 vs. the FCS). Both teams have ranked opponents in Week 13 — SDSU at UND, ISU at SIU — making an eighth victory key this weekend.
No. 19 Lamar at No. 15 Stephen F. Austin
SFA is 8-2 overall (7 D1 wins) and 6-0 in the Southland. Lamar is also 8-2 with a 5-1 record in conference play. Lamar just handed Southeastern its first FCS loss of the season, who now sits at 5-1 in the standings and 7-3 overall (7-1 vs. the FCS). Saturday’s contest is huge as the Southland looks like a multi-bid league.
No. 17 South Dakota at No. 21 Southern Illinois
With two straight ranked wins (UND, SDSU), South Dakota has kept its playoff hopes alive at 7-4 overall and 7-3 vs. the FCS. The Coyotes have a Week 13 bye, so this is it for them to stamp their playoff resume. SIU needs a win, though, sitting at 6-4 overall and 5-3 vs. the FCS with no ranked wins yet. A non-D1 win may be a factor on the bubble for the Salukis. SIU travels to ranked Illinois State next week, and it needs to win both to hit seven D1 wins.
No. 9 UC Davis at No. 3 Montana State
Montana State has been obliterating its competition lately, winning eight straight after an 0-2 start (losses to Oregon and SDSU). The Bobcats head to Montana in Week 13, where the winner should get a Top 2 seed. But … both have to win in Week 12 first. UC Davis is 7-2 overall and 7-1 vs. the FCS. The Aggies host Sac State (6-4) in Week 13, who could be seeking their eighth win and a playoff spot. If Davis loses at MSU, the pressure is even higher to beat rival Sac State. If MSU loses in a trap game before the Brawl of the Wild, it sets the Cats back in the seeds.
Honorable Mention: No. 11 Rhode Island at Maine
Related Articles
Week 13 (Nov. 22)
No. 7 Harvard at Yale
Harvard was ranked No. 9 last week by the FCS playoff committee. Currently 8-0, the Crimson hosts Penn in Week 12 and then goes to Yale in “The Game.” Yale is currently 6-2 and 4-1 in Ivy League play. It goes to Princeton in Week 12. Not only is this one of the best rivalries in all of college football (the two first met in 1875), but it’s going to have big FCS playoff implications for the first time.
No. 4 Lehigh at Lafayette
Speaking of historic clashes, “The Rivalry” will have a lot at stake. Lehigh could get a Top 4 seed if it finishes undefeated after getting a No. 4 ranking from the committee last week. The Mountain Hawks are 10-0 and go to Colgate in Week 12. Lafayette is having a nice season, though, sitting at 7-3 overall and 5-0 in Patriot League play. If Lafayette wins at Richmond in Week 12 and then upsets Lehigh, the Patriot will be a two-bid league.
No. 21 Southern Illinois at No. 14 Illinois State
Illinois State is currently 7-3 overall and 7-2 vs. the FCS. SIU is 6-4 overall and 5-3 vs. the FCS. Both squads face a ranked opponent in Week 12 (Illinois State at SDSU, SIU vs. USD). Depending on how those results go, this could be a win-and-in scenario, while the loser could be nervously on the bubble.
No. 16 South Dakota State at No. 13 North Dakota
At this point, has SDSU snapped its three-game losing streak and defeated ranked Illinois State in Week 12? If yes, the Jackrabbits have a playoff spot secured with eight wins. If not, this may be a must-win at UND. Would a 7-5 SDSU team with wins over currently-ranked Montana State and YSU get into the bracket on a five-game losing streak? The Jacks would need some help on the bubble for that to happen. Or they can split their last two games and get in the bracket. Go 2-0, and they could get a first-round bye at 9-3. UND will also face a lot of pressure in this game. Currently 6-4 overall and 6-3 vs. the FCS with wins over currently-ranked YSU and SIU, the Fighting Hawks have to win at Murray State in Week 12. If they then beat SDSU to finish with eight wins, the Hawks are in. If they lose to SDSU to finish 7-5, they still have a strong argument to get in, but their fate is up to the committee on the bubble.
No. 3 Montana State at No. 2 Montana
MSU was ranked No. 2 by the playoff committee last week, followed by Montana at No. 3. The Bobcats are currently 8-2 overall and 8-1 vs. the FCS. Montana is 10-0. Both have to handle business in Week 12 first, as MSU hosts ranked UC Davis and the Grizzlies go to Portland State. If they both win, the Brawl of the Wild will see the winner earn a Top 2 seed and pivotal home-field advantage. As for the loser? A Top 4 seed still seems likely, although MSU could drop lower with a third loss compared to Montana’s first loss.
Austin Peay at No. 6 Tarleton State
Tarleton State is 9-1 and was ranked No. 5 last week by the playoff committee. It may not be able to rise into the Top 4 seeds if Lehigh wins out, Montana and Montana State win in Week 12, and assuming NDSU doesn’t lose its last two games against unranked opponents. The loser of the Brawl of the Wild may not fall out of the Top 4, although MSU could drop lower with a third loss compared to Montana’s first loss. Tarleton needs to handle North Alabama in Week 12 and Austin Peay in Week 13, both games at home, to at least put itself in the conversation for a Top 4 seed. Austin Peay has recently exited the polls. But if the Govs win next week vs. Samford to improve to 7-4, they have a chance to stamp a playoff spot if they were able to upset Tarleton and get its eighth victory, which also includes an FBS win.
Honorable Mention: UT Martin at No. 5 Tennessee Tech, Sacramento State at No. 9 UC Davis
