FCS playoff bracket: Full list of picks, schedule and seeds for 2024 college football playoffs

On By Littum

A dose of playoff football is coming your way this Thanksgiving weekend.

No, the College Football Playoff doesn’t begin until late December, and the NFL playoffs don’t start until January. However, all football is good football, and FCS football can be impeccable entertainment.

Four FCS playoff games last season went to overtime, and the contest is set to heat up Saturday, Nov. 30, as the first of 23 games to decide a championship kick.

South Dakota State was the star of the show last season, riding a 59-0 semifinal victory over Albany into the national championship game against Montana. The Jackrabbits held the Grizzlies to three points and cruised to a title, but they have taken a pair of losses this season — one to the Big 12’s Oklahoma State, but another to rival North Dakota State, whose only loss came in a hard-fought game against Colorado.

The FCS playoffs will feature 24 teams for the fourth year in a row. The top eight seeds receive first round byes. The remaining 16 teams meet in the first round of the playoffs. All games will be played at home stadiums until the FCS National Championship, which will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Monday, January 6.

Here’s a complete look at the 2024 FCS playoffs, including the schedule and how to watch the games.

MORE: Watch the FCS Playoff Selection Show Live with Fubo (Free Trial)

2024 FCS playoff bracket

First round game

  • UT Martin vs. no. 16 New Hampshire
  • Northern Arizona vs. no. 15 Abilene Christian
  • Tennessee State vs. no. 14 Montana
  • Drake vs. Tarleton State no. 13
  • No. 12 Illinois State vs. SEE Missouri State*
  • Eastern Kentucky vs. no. 11 Villanova
  • Central Connecticut vs. no. 10 Rhode Island
  • Lehigh vs. No. 9 Richmond

No. 12 Illinois State will play on the road as a higher seed due to hosting the Illinois State High School Championship games in their home stadium.

Second round game

  • UT Martin/No. 16 New Hampshire vs. no. 1 Montana State
  • Northern Arizona/No. 15 Abilene Christian vs. no. 2 North Dakota State
  • Tennessee State/No. 14 Montana vs. no. 3 South Dakota State
  • Drake/No. 13 Tarleton State vs. no. 4 South Dakota
  • No. 12 Illinois State/SE Missouri State vs. No. 5 UC Davis
  • Eastern Kentucky/No. 11 Villanova vs. no. 6 incarnate words
  • Central Connecticut/No. 10 Rhode Island vs. no. 7 Mercer
  • Lehigh/No. 9 Richmond against no. 8 Idaho

How to watch the 2024 FCS playoff selection show

  • Date: Sunday 24 Nov
  • Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: ESPNU
  • Live stream: ESPN+ | Fubo

The FCS playoff selection show airs on ESPN at 12:30 PM ET on Sunday. Viewers can stream the show further ESPN+ or with Fubo, which offers a free trial.

MORE: Inside Curt Cignetti’s coaching timeline, from FCS to Indiana

FCS playoff schedule 2024

First round

Saturday 30 Nov

Game Time (ET) TV channel
No. 12 Illinois State vs. SEE Missouri State 12.00 ESPN+
Central Connecticut vs. no. 10 Rhode Island 12.00 ESPN+
UT Martin vs. no. 16 New Hampshire 1 p.m ESPN+
Lehigh vs. No. 9 Richmond 2 p.m ESPN+
Eastern Kentucky vs. no. 11 Villanova 2 p.m ESPN+
Drake against no. 13 Tarleton State 3 p.m ESPN+
Northern Arizona vs. no. 15 Abilene Christian 3 p.m ESPN+
Tennessee State vs. no. 14 Montana 22:15 ESPN2, ESPN+

Second round

Saturday 7 Dec

Game Time (ET) TV channel
TBD vs. no. 1 Montana State 3 p.m ESPN+
TBD vs. no. 2 North Dakota TBD ESPN+
TBD vs. no. 3 South Dakota State 3 p.m ESPN+
TBD vs. no. 4 South Dakota TBD ESPN+
TBD vs. no. 5 UC Davis 4 p.m ESPN+
TBD vs. no. 6 incarnate words TBD ESPN+
TBD vs. no. 7 Mercer TBD ESPN+
TBD against no. 8 Idaho 21.00 ESPN+

Quarterfinals

Friday 13 Dec

Game Time (ET) TV channel
TBD 21.00 ESPN

Saturday 14 Dec

Game Time (ET) TV channel
TBD 12.00 ESPN
TBD 12:05 p.m ESPN+
TBD 15:30 ABC

Semifinals

Saturday 21 December

Game Time (ET) TV channel
TBD 12.00 ABC
TBD 15:30 ABC

National Championship

Sunday, January 6

Game Time (ET) TV channel
Semifinal winners 19.00 ESPN