The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs will enter its 24th season in 2024, crowning a national champion from the ranks of Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools. The tournament will feature 24 teams, with 11 teams receiving automatic bids as conference champions and 13 teams earning at-large bids. The tournament bracket will be announced on November 20, 2024, and the first round of games will be played on November 26-27, 2024.
The FCS playoffs have been dominated by a few select teams in recent years, with North Dakota State University winning eight national championships since 2011 and James Madison University winning three titles since 2016. However, there have been a few surprises in recent years, with Jacksonville State University winning the title in 2018 and Sam Houston State University winning the title in 2020. The 2024 tournament is sure to be just as competitive, with a number of teams vying for the national championship.
The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is the second-highest level of college football in the United States, behind the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). FCS schools are typically smaller than FBS schools and do not have as many athletic scholarships. However, FCS football is still a very competitive level of football, and the FCS playoffs are always one of the most exciting events in college sports.
NCAA 2024 Football Championship
The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs will enter its 24th season in 2024. The tournament will feature 24 teams, with 11 teams receiving automatic bids as conference champions and 13 teams earning at-large bids. The tournament bracket will be announced on November 20, 2024, and the first round of games will be played on November 26-27, 2024.
- 24-team tournament
- 11 automatic bids
- 13 at-large bids
- Tournament bracket announced November 20, 2024
- First round games played November 26-27, 2024
- Quarterfinals played December 3-4, 2024
- Semifinals played December 10-11, 2024
- National championship game played January 6, 2025
- ESPN to televise all games
The FCS playoffs are always one of the most exciting events in college sports, and the 2024 tournament is sure to be just as competitive. A number of teams are vying for the national championship, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
24-team tournament
The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs expanded to a 24-team tournament in 2013, and it has remained at that size ever since. The tournament is divided into four regions: the East, the South, the Midwest, and the West. Each region has six teams, with the top two teams in each region receiving a first-round bye.
Automatic bids
Eleven teams receive automatic bids to the FCS playoffs by winning their conference championships. The automatic bids are awarded to the champions of the following conferences: the Big Sky Conference, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), the Northeast Conference (NEC), the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), the Patriot League, the Southern Conference (SoCon), the Southland Conference, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and the Ivy League.
At-large bids
Thirteen teams receive at-large bids to the FCS playoffs. The at-large bids are awarded to the teams with the best records that did not win their conference championships. The at-large bids are selected by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners.
Tournament bracket
The tournament bracket is announced on November 20, 2024. The first round of games is played on November 26-27, 2024. The quarterfinals are played on December 3-4, 2024. The semifinals are played on December 10-11, 2024. The national championship game is played on January 6, 2025.
Television coverage
ESPN will televise all games of the FCS playoffs. The first round games will be televised on ESPN+, ESPN2, and ESPNU. The quarterfinals will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPNU. The semifinals will be televised on ESPN. The national championship game will be televised on ESPN.
The 24-team tournament format has been praised for giving more teams a chance to compete for the national championship. In the past, only a few select teams had a chance to win the title. Now, any team that makes the playoffs has a chance to win it all.
11 automatic bids
Eleven teams receive automatic bids to the FCS playoffs by winning their conference championships. The automatic bids are awarded to the champions of the following conferences:
- Big Sky Conference
- Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
- Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)
- Northeast Conference (NEC)
- Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)
- Patriot League
- Southern Conference (SoCon)
- Southland Conference
- Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
- Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
- Ivy League
The automatic bids are awarded to the conference champions because they have the best records in their respective conferences. The conference champions are typically the strongest teams in the FCS, and they have earned the right to represent their conferences in the playoffs.
In some cases, a conference champion may not be eligible for an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. This can happen if the conference champion has a losing record or if the conference champion is ineligible for the playoffs due to NCAA sanctions. In these cases, the automatic bid will be awarded to the next-best team in the conference.
The 11 automatic bids to the FCS playoffs ensure that the best teams from each conference have a chance to compete for the national championship. The automatic bids also help to create a sense of parity in the FCS, as all teams have a chance to win their conference championship and earn a berth in the playoffs.
13 at-large bids
Thirteen teams receive at-large bids to the FCS playoffs. The at-large bids are awarded to the teams with the best records that did not win their conference championships. The at-large bids are selected by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners.
The committee considers a number of factors when selecting the at-large teams, including:
- Record: The committee gives the most weight to a team’s record. Teams with more wins and fewer losses are more likely to receive an at-large bid.
- Strength of schedule: The committee also considers the strength of a team’s schedule. Teams that play tougher schedules are more likely to receive an at-large bid.
- Head-to-head results: The committee also considers head-to-head results between teams. Teams that have defeated other strong teams are more likely to receive an at-large bid.
- Other factors: The committee may also consider other factors, such as a team’s performance in key games or its ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll.
The at-large bids help to ensure that the best teams in the FCS have a chance to compete for the national championship. The at-large bids also help to create a sense of parity in the FCS, as all teams have a chance to earn a berth in the playoffs, regardless of their conference affiliation.
The 13 at-large bids are typically awarded to teams from the following conferences:
- Big Sky Conference
- Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
- Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)
- Northeast Conference (NEC)
- Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)
- Patriot League
- Southern Conference (SoCon)
- Southland Conference
- Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
- Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
- Ivy League
- Other conferences
In some cases, teams from other conferences may receive at-large bids. This typically happens if a team from a smaller conference has a very strong record or if a team from a larger conference has a down year.
Tournament bracket announced November 20, 2024
The tournament bracket for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs is announced on November 20, 2024. The bracket is determined by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners.
The committee considers a number of factors when creating the bracket, including:
- Team records: The committee gives the most weight to a team’s record. Teams with more wins and fewer losses are more likely to receive a higher seed in the tournament.
- Strength of schedule: The committee also considers the strength of a team’s schedule. Teams that play tougher schedules are more likely to receive a higher seed in the tournament.
- Head-to-head results: The committee also considers head-to-head results between teams. Teams that have defeated other strong teams are more likely to receive a higher seed in the tournament.
- Other factors: The committee may also consider other factors, such as a team’s performance in key games or its ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll.
The tournament bracket is divided into four regions: the East, the South, the Midwest, and the West. Each region has six teams, with the top two teams in each region receiving a first-round bye.
The first round of the FCS playoffs is played on November 26-27, 2024. The quarterfinals are played on December 3-4, 2024. The semifinals are played on December 10-11, 2024. The national championship game is played on January 6, 2025.
First round games played November 26-27, 2024
The first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs is played on November 26-27, 2024. The eight teams that receive first-round byes will host the eight teams that did not receive byes.
The first round matchups are determined by the tournament bracket, which is announced on November 20, 2024. The bracket is created by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners, and it is based on a number of factors, including team records, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and other factors.
The first round games are typically played on campus sites. However, some games may be played at neutral sites, such as the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
The winners of the first round games will advance to the quarterfinals, which are played on December 3-4, 2024.
Quarterfinals played December 3-4, 2024
The quarterfinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs are played on December 3-4, 2024. The eight teams that win their first round games will advance to the quarterfinals.
Matchups
The quarterfinals matchups are determined by the tournament bracket, which is announced on November 20, 2024. The bracket is created by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners, and it is based on a number of factors, including team records, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and other factors.
Sites
The quarterfinals games are typically played on campus sites. However, some games may be played at neutral sites, such as the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
Winners
The winners of the quarterfinals games will advance to the semifinals, which are played on December 10-11, 2024.
The quarterfinals are a critical stage of the FCS playoffs. The teams that reach the quarterfinals are typically the best teams in the country, and the games are often very competitive.
Semifinals played December 10-11, 2024
The semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs are played on December 10-11, 2024. The four teams that win their quarterfinals games will advance to the semifinals.
Matchups
The semifinals matchups are determined by the tournament bracket, which is announced on November 20, 2024. The bracket is created by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners, and it is based on a number of factors, including team records, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and other factors.
Sites
The semifinals games are typically played at neutral sites. The most common sites for the semifinals are Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game site, which is rotated each year.
Winners
The winners of the semifinals games will advance to the national championship game, which is played on January 6, 2025.
The semifinals are the penultimate stage of the FCS playoffs, and the games are typically very competitive. The teams that reach the semifinals are typically the best teams in the country, and they are all vying for a chance to play for the national championship.
National championship game played January 6, 2025
The national championship game of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs is played on January 6, 2025. The game will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The national championship game is the culmination of the FCS playoffs, and it is one of the most exciting events in college sports. The game will feature the two best teams in the FCS, and it will be a battle for the national title.
The national championship game is televised on ESPN, and it is watched by millions of fans across the country. The game is a major event for the FCS, and it helps to raise the profile of the subdivision.
The winner of the national championship game will be crowned the FCS national champion. The national championship is a prestigious honor, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff of the winning team.
ESPN to televise all games
ESPN will televise all games of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. The first round games will be televised on ESPN+, ESPN2, and ESPNU. The quarterfinals will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPNU. The semifinals will be televised on ESPN. The national championship game will be televised on ESPN.
ESPN’s coverage of the FCS playoffs is a major boost for the subdivision. ESPN is the leading sports network in the United States, and its coverage of the FCS playoffs will help to raise the profile of the subdivision and its teams.
ESPN’s coverage of the FCS playoffs is also a great opportunity for fans to watch some of the best college football in the country. The FCS playoffs feature some of the most exciting and competitive games in all of college football.
ESPN’s coverage of the FCS playoffs is a win-win for both ESPN and the FCS. ESPN gets to televise some of the most exciting games in college football, and the FCS gets to showcase its best teams and players to a national audience.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs:
Question 1: When is the FCS playoffs?
Answer: The FCS playoffs will be played from November 26, 2024 to January 6, 2025.
Question 2: How many teams make the FCS playoffs?
Answer: 24 teams make the FCS playoffs.
Question 3: How are the FCS playoff teams selected?
Answer: 11 teams receive automatic bids to the FCS playoffs by winning their conference championships. The other 13 teams are selected by a committee of FCS athletic directors and conference commissioners.
Question 4: Where are the FCS playoff games played?
Answer: The first round games are played on campus sites. The quarterfinals and semifinals are played at neutral sites. The national championship game is played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Question 5: Who won the last FCS national championship?
Answer: North Dakota State University won the 2023 FCS national championship.
Question 6: Which teams are favored to win the 2024 FCS national championship?
Answer: North Dakota State University, James Madison University, and South Dakota State University are the early favorites to win the 2024 FCS national championship.
We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Now that you know more about the FCS playoffs, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the tournament:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs:
Tip 1: Watch the games on ESPN. ESPN will televise all of the FCS playoff games, so you can catch all of the action on your favorite sports network.
Tip 2: Attend a game in person. If you can, try to attend an FCS playoff game in person. The atmosphere is electric, and you’ll get to see some of the best college football players in the country.
Tip 3: Follow the FCS playoffs on social media. The FCS playoffs have a strong presence on social media, so you can follow all of the latest news and updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Tip 4: Make predictions and compete with your friends. Fill out a bracket and compete with your friends to see who can correctly predict the FCS national champion. This is a fun way to add to the excitement of the tournament.
We hope these tips help you enjoy the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.
The FCS playoffs are one of the most exciting events in college sports. With 24 teams competing for the national championship, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement. We encourage you to check out the FCS playoffs and see for yourself why it is one of the best sporting events in the country.
Conclusion
The 2024 FCS football season is sure to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a number of top teams vying for the national championship, the FCS tournament is sure to be full of drama and excitement.
Here is a summary of the main points of this article:
- The tournament will feature 24 teams, with 11 teams receiving automatic berths as conference champions and 13 teams receiving at-large berths.
- The tournament will be played from November 26, 2024 to January 6, 2025.
- The tournament will be televised on ESPNU, ESPNews, and ESP.
We hope this article has given you all the information you need to know about the 2024 FCS Football Championship. We encourage you to check out the tournament and see for yourself why it is one of the most exciting events in college sports.