There’s little doubt defending FCS champ Montana State will be there, but who else? With strong teams to pick from, here’s a 2026 FCS playoff bracket projection prior to the season.
The most bids in the 2026 FCS playoff bracket will come from the state of … Tennessee?
Why, yes, in an indication of how the season could turn wacky and wild.
Like it usually does in the FCS.
We’re not waiting until Sunday Selection on Nov. 22, we’re gazing into the crystal ball with a preseason peek toward the Road to Nashville and the national championship picture. Included: The Volunteer State leading the way in qualifiers with Austin Peay, ETSU, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin.
Let’s dance!
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*-Automatic qualifier (11 overall); other teams projected as at-large selections (13 overall)
Big Sky (4): Idaho State, Montana, *Montana State, UC Davis
CAA Football (2): Monmouth, *Rhode Island
Ivy League (1): *Harvard
Missouri Valley (5): Illinois State, North Dakota, South Dakota, *South Dakota State, Youngstown State
Northeast (1): *Duquesne
Ohio Valley (1): *UT Martin
Patriot League (2): Lehigh,*Villanova
Pioneer League (1): *Dayton
Southern (2): ETSU, *Tennessee Tech
Southland (2): Southeastern Louisiana, *Stephen F. Austin
United Athletic (3): Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, *Tarleton State
First Four Teams Out: Lamar, Southern Illinois, Western Carolina, Yale
Projected Pairings
Monmouth at No. 16 seed Harvard, winner at No. 1 seed Montana State
Idaho State at No. 9 seed North Dakota, winner at No. 8 seed Rhode Island
Duquesne at No. 12 seed South Dakota, winner at No. 5 seed Tarleton State
ETSU at No. 13 seed Austin Peay, winner at No. 4 seed Montana
Youngstown State at No. 14 seed Lehigh, winner at No. 3 seed UC Davis
UT Martin at No. 11 seed Tennessee Tech, winner at No. 6 seed Villanova
Dayton at No. 10 seed Stephen F. Austin, winner at No. 7 seed Illinois State
Abilene Christian at No. 15 seed Southeastern Louisiana, winner at No. 2 seed South Dakota State
FCS Playoff Bracket: 2026 Key Dates to Know
ESPN Networks
Playoff Selection Show: Nov. 22
First Round: Nov. 28
Second Round: Dec. 5
Quarterfinals: Dec. 11-12
Semifinals: Dec. 19
Championship Game: Jan. 11 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
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FCS Playoff Bracket Predictions: A Preseason Peek to Selection Sunday 2026 Opta Analyst.
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