The FCS Notebook is a blog-style article series featuring an assortment of news, rumblings, quick hitters, and commentary on various topics.
A new FCS Notebook will be published multiple times a week.
Expect Big Changes In The FCS Playoff Committee’s Top 10 Between Now And Selection Sunday
Two years ago, the FCS Playoff Committee decided not to release an in-season Top 10 ranking, knowing there was still a lot to sort out before Selection Sunday. It was met with some backlash. They squandered an opportunity to build buzz and anticipation for the playoffs.
Last year, the committee brought back an in-season Top 10. It was met with some backlash, as any ranking does.
Yesterday, the committee released its Top 10 again. It was, of course, met with some backlash, as any ranking does.
The committee’s Top 10, as of today and not projecting ahead, is:
1. NDSU
2. Montana State
3. SDSU
4. South Dakota
5. UC Davis
6. SEMO
7. Idaho
8. Mercer
9. UIW
10. Montana
It all makes for good online discourse and podcast/radio/article topics. But everyone also probably realizes that this order will certainly change between now and Selection Sunday.
Here are just some games still to come:
Media Poll rankings
No. 23 ETSU at No. 16 Mercer
No. 4 UC Davis at No. 8 Montana
No. 17 ACU at No. 7 Tarleton State
No. 2 Montana State at No. 4 UC Davis
No. 3 SDSU at No. 15 UND
No. 5 South Dakota at No. 15 UND
No. 17 Missouri State at No. 1 NDSU
No. 24 W&M at No. 16 Richmond
No. 15 UND at No. 21 Illinois State
No. 8 Montana at No. 2 Montana State
No. 1 NDSU at No. 5 South Dakota
No. 11 UCA at No. 7 Tarleton State
No. 3 SDSU at No. 17 Missouri State
To illustrate how much can change, below is last year’s Top 10 the committee released on Oct. 26 compared to which teams earned Top 8 seeds. This year, the Top 16 teams will be seeded.
| 2023 | |
| Oct. 26 Top 10 | Final 8 Playoff Seeds |
| 1. SDSU | 1. SDSU |
| 2. Montana State | 2. Montana |
| 3. Furman | 3. South Dakota |
| 4. South Dakota | 4. Idaho |
| 5. Delaware | 5. UAlbany |
| 6. Montana | 6. Montana State |
| 7. Idaho | 7. Furman |
| 8. Sacramento State | 8. Villanova |
| 9. Western Carolina | |
| 10. UIW |
Related Articles
FCS Selection Show Day/Time
The FCS Selection Show revealing the 24-team bracket will be on Sunday, Nov. 24.
It will air at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Past FCS Notebooks
FCS Playoff Committee Releases In-Season Top 10 Ranking … READ MORE
Tentative FCS Playoff Broadcast Schedule + Minimum Bids To Host + Seed Adjustments … READ MORE
Missouri State, Delaware Aren’t Playoff Eligible, But They’ll Be Factors In The Postseason Picture … READ MORE
