Staff File Photo by Dan Henry
Fans prepare for the 2008 NCAA Football Championship Game between the Montana Grizzlies and Richmond Spiders at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga Tenn. Wednesday, December 19. 2008.

After an 11-0 regular season, Big Sky Conference champion Montana is the top seed in the this year's FCS playoff bracket, which was released Sunday. The Grizzlies host South Dakota State in the first round on Saturday.

Villanova, which earned the Colonial Athletic Association's automatic bid, is the No. 2 seed. Missouri Valley Football Conference champion Southern Illinois is No. 3 and defending champion Richmond is the fourth seed.

Appalachian State and Elon made the field out of the Southern Conference.

First round

Saturday

South Dakota State (8-3) at No. 1 Montana (11-0), TBA

Eastern Washington (8-3) at Stephen F. Austin (9-2), TBA

Elon (9-2) at No. 4 Richmond (10-1), TBA

South Carolina State (10-1) at Appalachian State (9-2), noon

Holy Cross (9-2) at No. 2 Villanova (10-1), TBA

New Hampshire (9-2) at McNeese State (9-2), TBA

Eastern Ill. (8-3) at No. 2 Southern Illinois (10-1), TBA

Weber State (7-4) at William & Mary (9-2), TBA

AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS (8)

Montana, Big Sky Conference

Villanova, Colonial Athletic Association

South Carolina State, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Southern Illinois, Missouri Valley Football Conference

Eastern Illinois, Ohio Valley Conference

Holy Cross, Patriot League

Appalachian State, Southern Conference

Stephen F. Austin, Southland Conference

AT-LARGE QUALIFERS (8)

Eastern Washington, Big Sky

Weber State, Big Sky

New Hampshire, CAA

Richmond, CAA

William & Mary, CAA

South Dakota State, Missouri Valley

Elon, SoCon

McNeese State, Southland

For more playoff coverage, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.