Saturday, November 12, 2016

Projecting the FCS playoff field

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Thanks to the Football Championship Subdivision selection committee releasing its top-10 rankings for the second straight week, we have a pretty good understanding of how the committee is rewarding seeds. Teams that play challenging schedules and are part of the stronger conferences are looked upon favorably in seeding purposes (i.e., No. 1 Sam Houston State drawing a No. 5 for playoff seeding).

With two weekends remaining, there are compelling games to determine how the top eight will shake out, but we are taking a look at right now as they stand.

Before we get into that, the MEAC, which doesn’t have a playoff bid thanks to its place in the Celebration Bowl against the SWAC champion, is trying to shake up the playoff field.

North Carolina Central presents a strong resume to receive an at-large bid. The Eagles’ two losses are to Duke and Western Michigan, and they can reach the seven-win DI plateau this weekend against Howard to set up a showdown for the MEAC title against North Carolina A&T. That is a resume that can’t be overlooked, even with four- and five-loss teams from the stronger FCS conferences looking to get in.

For those wondering, the Big South will likely be a one-bid league this season. Liberty gets the nod right now thanks to its lead in the conference standings.

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