FCS playoff projections

Nov 22, 2015 - 4:37 AM (STATS) - It seems like one of the few certainties for the FCS playoff field that will be announced Sunday is Ohio Valley Conference champion Jacksonville will match its top ranking with the No. 1 seed.

Will four-time defending national champion North Dakota State follow the Gamecocks with the second seed, which guarantees home games through the semifinals? Or will it be fellow Missouri Valley Conference champion Illinois State, which played the Bison in the 2014 national final?

Perhaps it will be McNeese State, the only unbeaten team remaining in the FCS.

There are so many scenarios under consideration, and the last one or two at-large bids are always decided between a small handful of candidates.

However the 24-team bracket (10 automatic, 14 at-large) looks, the postseason figures to be as exciting and unpredictable as the regular season, which began with Montana upsetting North Dakota State in late August and closed late Saturday with North Dakota making a bid for the final at-large bid.

Here is how the field might look when announced Sunday:

Dayton-Chattanooga first-round winner to play No. 1 seed Jacksonville State

The Citadel-James Madison first-round winner to play No. 8 seed Charleston Southern

Southern Utah-Sam Houston State first-round winner to play No. 5 Portland State

Towson-Coastal Carolina first-round winner to play No. 4 seed McNeese State

Duquesne-Fordham first-round winner to play No. 3 seed Illinois State

Eastern Illinois-Northern Iowa first-round winner to play No. 6 seed South Dakota State

Colgate-William & Mary first-round winner to play No. 7 seed Richmond

Western Illinois-Montana first-round winner to play No. 2 seed North Dakota State