(Editor’s note: Big Sky Conference release)
OGDEN, Utah — The Big Sky Conference earned three of the top eight seeds and four picks overall in the 24-team field of the 2018 NCAA Division I Football Championship Playoff bracket that was released on Sunday. Co-Big Sky Champions Weber State, Eastern Washington, UC Davis, along with Montana State will represent the conference in postseason play. The Big Sky was the only conference to get three teams in the top eight and its four total selections to the playoffs were the second-most amongst the FCS conferences. After the final games of the regular season, the conference has all four of its playoff teams ranked in the Top 25 and three of the teams are in the Top 10.
No. 2-seeded Weber State (9-1) vs. winner of Southeast Missouri (8-3) vs. Stony Brook (7-4)
Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. MST
Ogden, Utah – Stewart Stadium
The Weber State Wildcats have earned their seventh FCS Playoff berth with an at-large bid and a first round bye by the committee Sunday morning. Weber State, the No. 2 overall seed and the league’s automatic qualifier, will play the winner of Southeast Missouri (8-3) vs. Stony Brook (7-4) in the second round. The Wildcats finished the regular season 9-1 overall and 7-1 in league play to earn a share of the Big Sky regular season title for the second consecutive season. It is the third straight year that the Wildcats have clinched a playoff appearance, as they ride a six-game win streak into postseason play. The second-round game will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. MT at Stewart Stadium.
No. 3-seeded Eastern Washington (9-1) vs. winner of Nicholls (8-3) vs. San Diego (9-2)
Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. PT
Cheney, Wash. – Roos Field
Eastern Washington earned a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season championship – its 10th in league history – and a berth to the FCS Playoffs for the 13th time in school history and first since 2016. Eastern Washington was selected as the No. 3 overall seed and received a first-round bye. The Eagles finished the season 9-2, 7-1 in league play, as they are on a four-game win streak. Eastern Washington will take on the winner of Nicholls (8-3) vs. San Diego (9-2) in Cheney on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. PT at Roos Field in the second round.
No. 6-seeded UC Davis (9-1) vs. winner of Northern Iowa (6-5) vs. Lamar (7-4)
Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. PT
Davis, Calif. – Aggie Stadium
UC Davis has advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the first time in school history. After a record-breaking season that included the most wins in a single season as an FCS team, a six-game win streak, and a win over an FBS program, the Aggies are playoff bound with a first-round bye. UC Davis will play the winner of Northern Iowa (6-5) and Lamar (7-4) in the second round of the playoffs. The Aggies will host the winner on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. PT at Aggie Stadium.
Montana State (7-4) vs. Incarnate Word (6-4)
Saturday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. MST
Bozeman, Mont. – Bobcat Stadium
Montana State has advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2014 and the ninth time in school history. The Bobcats finished the season 9-2, 7-1 in league play. Montana State will host Incarnate Word (6-4) on Saturday, Nov. 24 in the first round of the playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT in Bozeman on ESPN3. The winner of the game will face No. 1 overall seed North Dakota State at 12 p.m. MT on Dec. 1 in the second round of the playoffs in Fargo, N.D.
There were 10 automatic playoff bids given to conferences with an additional 14 teams receiving at-large bids for the playoffs. The FCS Playoffs begin on Nov. 24 with the first-round games, followed by the second round on Dec. 1, the quarterfinals on Dec. 7 and 8 and the semifinals on Dec. 14 and 15. The NCAA Division I Football Championship game will be played in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. Pacific time on ESPN2.
Please click here for more details on Montana State’s home game against Incarnate Word. To view the complete FCS bracket, please click here.
