FCS Playoff Picture: Montana’s Path to the Top 8 and Beyond

We are entering November and the final month of the FCS regular season. With 4 games to go, we analyzed the current state of the FCS and what the playoff bracket could look like. Specifically, we looked at Montana's path to a top 8 seed.

The FCS Playoff Committee released its first top 10 back on October 11. Even though that was a few weeks ago, it looks relatively similar to what today's top 10 could look like.

The only huge difference is that South Dakota State took a beating from top-seeded North Dakota State last week.

Montana's Quest to a #2 Seed

"I'm not wearing maroon colored glasses on this, Ace. A 12-0 Montana Grizzly team that's the outright Big Sky Conference champion that beats two top five teams in North Dakota and Montana State, if that happens, there's no debate that they would be #2," said the Voice of the Griz, Riley Corcoran.

He's right. If Montana runs the table, we don't believe it matters what Tarleton State or any other team does the rest of the way. If Montana were to lose the Brawl of the Wild or drop one of the next three, then you can kiss the #2 seed goodbye. At that point, there would be so many other outcomes that could shake up where the Griz finish that it's hard to predict.

READ MORE: Meet the Griz - Ty Morrison on the Fake Punt and His Soccer Origins

Biggest FCS Games remaining

Griz fans, these are the biggest games remaining in the FCS regular season that will determine the top 8 seeds in the playoffs.

Tarleton State @ Abilene Christian (Week 10 - 11/1)

This is the last real test for Tarleton State on their schedule. A win this Saturday, and you can pencil the Texans in as undefeated UAC champs and a top 3 seed.

North Dakota State @ North Dakota (Week 11 - 11/8)

North Dakota has an opportunity to shake things up atop the FCS rankings. The Hawks will host NDSU on November 8 and provide the Bison their last real threat of the season. Help us, UND. You're our only hope.

Illinois State @ South Dakota State (Week 12 - 11/15)

The Jacks were spanked by NDSU last week. Granted, SDSU didn't have its starting quarterback, but the final few weeks of the regular season will be paramount to SDSU's seeding. A win against Illinois State and UND later this year will bolster an already good resume.

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UC Davis @ Montana State (Week 12 - 11/15)

UC Davis is 6-1, 4-0 and will travel to Bozeman in week 12 on ESPN2. UC Davis could give themselves a fighter's chance at an outright Big Sky title with an upset win on the road and give the Cats their 3rd loss of the year.

Montana State @ Montana (Week 13 - 11/22)

Duh. If Davis doesn't beat the Cats, if UM and MSU run the table until the Brawl of the Wild, then we will have another top 4 showdown to decide the out—just like 2023.

Harvard @ Yale (Week 13 - 11/22)

Ok, I don't know if Harvard runs the table and ends the year unbeaten if that will be enough to clinch a top 8 seed, but at least they put themselves in a position to do so. Plus, Harvard-Yale is always a good time.

South Dakota State @ North Dakota (Week 13 - 11/22)

The final weekend of the season is loaded with great games. SDSU - UND were already featured on the list, so you can reference the same talking points above.