2024 FCS Playoff Bracket: Schedule, Teams, and How to Watch

This Thanksgiving weekend, prepare for a thrilling dose of playoff football action.

While the highly anticipated College Football Playoff won’t kick off until late December and the NFL playoffs are still weeks away from beginning in January, football fans can revel in the excitement of FCS football. This level of competition is not only entertaining but can also provide some nail-biting moments.

Last season, FCS football delivered an electrifying experience, featuring an impressive four playoff games that extended into overtime, showcasing the intense rivalry and skill within the league. All eyes will be on Saturday, Nov. 30, marking the onset of 23 exhilarating playoff games that will determine the rightful champion.

South Dakota State dazzled onlookers last season as they dominated Albany with a staggering 59-0 victory in the semifinals, which propelled them into the national championship showdown against Montana. In this pivotal matchup, the Jackrabbits exhibited defensive prowess, limiting the Grizzlies to a mere three points and sailing to a championship title. However, this season has seen the Jackrabbits face setbacks, including a loss to Oklahoma State from the Big 12 and a fierce defeat by their long-standing rivals, North Dakota State, who themselves suffered only one loss in a closely contested game against Colorado.

For the fourth consecutive year, the FCS playoffs will showcase 24 teams, with the top eight seeds enjoying the advantage of first-round byes. The remaining 16 teams will clash in a series of thrilling matchups, with all games taking place at the home stadiums, leading up to the illustrious FCS National Championship hosted at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6.

FCS playoff bracket 2024

First-round games

• UT Martin vs. No. 16 New Hampshire
• Northern Arizona vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian
• Tennessee State vs. No. 14 Montana
• Drake vs. No. 13 Tarleton State
• No. 12 Illinois State vs. SE Missouri State*
• Eastern Kentucky vs. No. 11 Villanova
• Central Connecticut vs. No. 10 Rhode Island
• Lehigh vs. No. 9 Richmond

Second-round games

• UT Martin/No. 16 New Hampshire vs. No. 1 Montana State
• Northern Arizona/No. 15 Abilene Christian vs. No. 2 North Dakota State
• Tennessee State/No. 14 Montana vs. No. 3 South Dakota State
• Drake/No. 13 Tarleton State vs. No. 4 South Dakota
• No. 12 Illinois State/SE Missouri State vs. No. 5 UC Davis
• Eastern Kentucky/No. 11 Villanova vs. No. 6 Incarnate Word
• Central Connecticut/No. 10 Rhode Island vs. No. 7 Mercer
• Lehigh/No. 9 Richmond vs. No. 8 Idaho

How to watch 2024 FCS playoff selection show

• Date: Sunday, Nov, 24
• Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: ESPNU
• Live stream: ESPN+ | Fubo

The highly anticipated FCS playoff selection show will air live on ESPN, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. For those unable to watch on television, the show will also be available for streaming on ESPN+ or through Fubo, which offers a free trial.

FCS playoff schedule 2024

First round

Saturday, Nov. 30

GameTime (ET)TV channelNo. 12 Illinois State vs. SE Missouri State12 p.m.ESPN+Central Connecticut vs. No. 10 Rhode Island12 p.m.ESPN+UT Martin vs. No. 16 New Hampshire1 p.m.ESPN+Lehigh vs. No. 9 Richmond2 p.m.ESPN+Eastern Kentucky vs. No. 11 Villanova2 p.m.ESPN+Drake vs. No. 13 Tarleton State3 p.m.ESPN+Northern Arizona vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian3 p.m.ESPN+Tennessee State vs. No. 14 Montana10:15 p.m.ESPN2, ESPN+

Second round

Saturday, Dec. 7

GameTime (ET)TV channelTBD vs. No. 1 Montana State3 p.m.ESPN+TBD vs. No. 2 North DakotaTBDESPN+TBD vs. No. 3 South Dakota State3 p.m.ESPN+TBD vs. No. 4 South DakotaTBDESPN+TBD vs. No. 5 UC Davis4 p.m.ESPN+TBD vs. No. 6 Incarnate WordTBDESPN+TBD vs. No. 7 MercerTBDESPN+TBD vs. No. 8 Idaho9 p.m.ESPN+

Quarterfinals

Friday, Dec. 13

GameTime (ET)TV channelTBD9 p.m.ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 14

GameTime (ET)TV channelTBD12 p.m.ESPNTBD12:05 p.m.ESPN+TBD3:30 p.m.ABC

Semifinals

Saturday, Dec. 21

GameTime (ET)TV channelTBD12 p.m.ABCTBD3:30 p.m.ABC

National championship

Sunday, Jan. 5

GameTime (ET)TV channelSemifinal winners7 p.m.ESPN

How can fans watch the FCS⁣ National ‌Championship game live ​on ​ESPN+?

Ef=”https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/2436205/661047/9070″ target=”_blank”>ESPN+ TBD vs. No. 6 Incarnate WordTBDESPN+ TBD vs. No. 7 MercerTBDESPN+ TBD vs. No. 8 IdahoTBDESPN+

2024 FCS National ‌Championship

The culmination of the FCS playoffs will see‌ the two remaining teams battle it out for the championship ‍title at Toyota Stadium⁣ in Frisco, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 6. Fans can expect an‌ epic showdown as the top two teams of the playoffs will‍ compete for ​glory, ⁤and it ⁣promises to be an event to remember.

Key Players to ⁢Watch

As the ​playoffs approach, eyes will be on key⁢ players who have had a remarkable season and ⁢are poised to make an impact in the postseason. Quarterbacks, running backs, and standout defensive players will be pivotal in leading their ‌teams to ‍victory. Keep an ⁢eye ⁢on emerging talent⁣ as well, as ​playoff games often reveal new stars on the rise.

Conclusion

The excitement ⁢is palpable as teams gear ‌up for the FCS playoffs, where every yard gained ​and every point scored⁤ could make the difference between victory and defeat. With the selection show right around the corner,‌ fans are eager to see who⁤ will⁤ emerge as the ‌top contenders for the championship. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action as‌ the ‍road to the‌ FCS National Championship unfolds!