For most of the teams in the Football Championship Subdivision, today's season finales are all about pride and finishing the season on a good note. But for those still fighting for spots in the playoff field of 16, today is the last chance to state their case.
Appalachian State, Montana, South Carolina State, Southern Illinois and Holy Cross have clinched conference titles and automatic bids, so their games today are about improving their seeds and possibly earning first-round home games.
Villanova, defending national champion Richmond and William & Mary each has a shot at winning the Colonial Athletic Association today. All three are sure to make the playoffs, as is New Hampshire.
The CAA had five teams in the field of 16 the past two years, but it looks like four will make it this season.
Appalachian State earned the Southern Conference's bid with last week's win at Elon. The Phoenix need a win today against Samford to guarantee a spot in the playoffs for the first time.
In the Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois is in and Northern Iowa and South Dakota State will all but lock up at-large bids with wins today.
Eastern Washington, Florida A&M and Liberty are among the teams that need to win today and have some of the other bubble teams lose to advance to the postseason, which concludes at the FCS title game at Finley Stadium on Dec. 18.
John Frierson is in his fifth year at the Times Free Press and fifth year covering University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletics. The bulk of his time is spent covering Mocs football, but he also writes about women’s basketball and the big-picture issues and news involving the athletic department. A native of Athens, Ga., John grew up a few hundred yards from the University of Georgia campus. Instead of becoming a Bulldog he attended Ole ...
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