FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 24, 2024) — Montana State earned the Big Sky's first No. 1 seed for the FCS Playoffs since 2009, as the Bobcats headlined the league's five selections for the 24-team field. Montana State will be joined by UC Davis, Idaho, Montana and Northern Arizona from the Big Sky in this year's playoffs, as the full field was announced on Sunday morning’s FCS Playoff Selection Show on ESPNU.
Full FCS Playoff Bracket
Montana State, UC Davis and Idaho all earned first-round byes, while Montana and Northern Arizona will kick off their postseason play this Saturday in the opening round. NAU travels to Abilene Christian on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. MT, while Montana hosts Tennessee State for an 8:15 p.m. MT kickoff on ESPN2.
The Big Sky led all other FCS leagues for playoff bids in 2024, with the Big Sky's five selections topping the Missouri Valley (4), the CAA (4), the United Athletic (3) and the Big South-OVC (3) overall for the 24-team field.
The No. 1 seed for Montana State was the highest-ever for the Bobcats overall, and the highest for a Big Sky team since 2009. Four different Big Sky teams have earned the No. 1 seed since the FCS Playoffs began seeding in 1981. Montana has the most No. 1 seeds for a Big Sky team with four, while Nevada earned a No. 1 seed twice and Idaho claimed the top seed once.
No. 1 Seed History for Big Sky Teams
Montana: 4 times (2009, 2001, 2000, 1996)
Nevada: 2 times (1991, 1986)
Montana State: 1 time (2024)
Idaho: 1 time (1988)
#1 Montana State (12-0, 8-0 BSC)
2nd Round vs. winner of No. 16 New Hampshire & UT Martin (Dec. 7 at 1:00 p.m. MT)
Montana State dominated nearly everyone on their schedule in 2024, as the Bobcats finished the year 12-0. Montana State won its first outright Big Sky title since 2011, with the Bobcats earning its highest seed ever for the FCS Playoffs as a reward. Montana State will take on the winner of No. 16 New Hampshire-UT Martin on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1:00 p.m. MT in the second round.
#5 UC Davis (10-2, 7-1 BSC)
2nd Round vs. winner of No. 12 Illinois State & SEMO (Dec. 7 at 2:00 p.m. MT)
UC Davis fell just outside of the Top 4, with the Aggies earning the No. 5 seed following a 10-2 year and its only Big Sky loss coming to eventual No. 1 seed Montana State. The playoff appearance is the first for UC Davis since 2021 and its first national seed since earning a No. 6 in 2018. UC Davis will face the winner of No. 12 Illinois State-SEMO on on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 p.m. MT in the second round.
#8 Idaho (9-3, 6-2 BSC)
2nd Round vs. winner of No. 9 Richmond & Lehigh (Dec. 7 at 7:00 p.m. MT)
Idaho earned the final seed for a first-round bye, as the Vandals were awarded the No. 8 seed following a 9-3 season and 6-2 mark in the Big Sky. The Vandals had three losses in 2024, with those teams having combined records of 33-2 overall (Oregon, Montana State, UC Davis). The playoff berth is the third-straight for Idaho, which marks the longest stretch since earning four-straight playoff appearances from 1992-95. Idaho will face the winner of No. 9 Richmond-Lehigh on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:00 p.m. MT in the second round.
No. 14 Montana (8-4, 5-3 BSC)
1st Round vs. Tennessee State (Nov. 30 at 8:15 p.m. MT)
Montana was tabbed as 14th seed, after an 8-4 season and 5-3 record in the Big Sky this past season. The playoff berth for the Grizzlies marks its total appearances to 28 overall. Montana will host Eddie George-coached Tennessee State on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8:15 p.m. MT. The late-night game will get a national stage, with the Grizzlies and Tigers facing off on ESPN2. If the Grizzlies should win on Saturday, it will set up a rematch of last season's national title game in the second round as they would travel to No. 3 South Dakota State.
Northern Arizona (8-4, 6-2 BSC)
1st Round at No. 15 Abilene Christian (Nov. 30 at 1:00 p.m. MT)
Northern Arizona earned its first playoff berth since 2017, after the Lumberjacks rode a five-game winning streak to an 8-4 record overall and 6-2 mark in the Big Sky. Northern Arizona will hit the road in the opening round, with the Lumberjacks traveling to No. 15 Abilene Christian in the first round on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 1:00 p.m. MT. If the Lumberjacks should win on Saturday, they will travel to No. 2 North Dakota State in the second round next week.
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