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.
Missouri State, Delaware Aren’t Playoff Eligible, But They’ll Be Factors In The Postseason Picture
Missouri State and Delaware are joining the FBS and Conference USA next season. They are FCS members this year but are not eligible for the playoffs as part of their transition process.
Missouri State has elected to stay at the FCS maximum 63 scholarships this season. Delaware has gone above the 63-scholarship limit this fall, although it is dressing only 63 scholarship players in CAA games. The current FBS scholarship maximum is 85, but roster limits of around 105 players is expected to replace the scholarship limit after the House case is settled.
That makes playing FBS football even more expensive with the additional scholarships. It also results in smaller FBS rosters overall, which means some players will trickle down to the FCS.
Because Delaware has more than 63 scholarships on its roster, the Blue Hens are not eligible to be voted on in the FCS media and coaches Top 25 polls. Since Missouri State still has 63 scholarships, it can be voted on in the coaches poll but not in the media poll.
The Bears are ranked No. 18 in this week’s coaches poll at 5-2. The two losses are 29-24 at then-No. 3 Montana and 42-34 at FBS Ball State. Mo State is riding a five-game winning streak.
Delaware is 6-1 and just lost its first game of the season 28-9 at Richmond, who was ranked No. 18 in the media poll.
While these two programs are not eligible to make the playoffs, they’ll still be factors in the playoff picture.
Beating Delaware won’t count as a ranked win, but it’s still a quality victory on the resume for Richmond. Delaware also plays No. 15 Rhode Island and No. 13 Villanova later this season. Those are either quality wins or losses that will knock those two teams down in the seeds discussion.
Missouri State will count as a ranked win, assuming they stay in the coaches poll. That makes Montana’s win age well. And in Missouri State’s final two games as FCS members, the Bears go to No. 1 North Dakota State and then host No. 3 South Dakota State.
Missouri State could really throw a wrench into the Top 4 seeds if it pulled off an upset in the final two weeks. Or it could be one more ranked win for NDSU and/or SDSU to solidify Top 3 seeds.
Related Articles
- FCS Bracketology 2.0
- FCS Playoff Seeds Increases From 8 To 16
- Resumes For The Top 10 Ranked FCS Teams
2 Ranked Matchups This Week
There are two games this week between ranked opponents (using the Stats Perform Media Poll):
No. 24 Western Carolina at No. 14 Mercer
No. 4 South Dakota at No. 3 South Dakota State (on ESPNU)
FCS Teams Still Undefeated vs. FCS Opponents
Records against FCS opponents
Montana State 7-0
UC Davis 7-0
SEMO 7-0
NDSU 7-0
Tarleton State 6-0
Rhode Island 6-0
Dartmouth 5-0
South Dakota 5-0
Duquesne 3-0
Past FCS Notebooks
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