2026 FCS playoff bracket predictions after the second committee rankings

Key Points:

• A 24-team FCS playoff bracket prediction for 2026 has been made, featuring 11 automatic bids and 13 at-large bids, with eight teams receiving first-round byes and another eight seeded 9-16.
• Predicted conference champions include Montana State (Big Sky), Monmouth (CAA), Dartmouth (Ivy), South Dakota State (MVFC), Central Connecticut State (NEC), Southeast Missouri State (OVC), Colgate (Patriot), Dayton (Pioneer), Tennessee Tech (SoCon), Lamar (Southland), and Tarleton State (UAC).
• Key at-large bids are projected for teams like Austin Peay, Campbell, Harvard, Idaho, Mercer, Northern Arizona, South Dakota, Stephen F. Austin, UAlbany, Weber State, and Youngstown State, with some conferences like the Big Sky and MVFC having multiple representatives.
• The final at-large spot is projected to go to Weber State over Montana due to stronger wins and momentum, while teams like Lehigh, Idaho State, Montana, and Villanova are among the first four teams out of the playoff picture.
• The top eight seeds predicted are Montana State, Tarleton State, South Dakota State, Youngstown State, Northern Arizona, South Dakota, Austin Peay, and Tennessee Tech, with the next eight seeds including Lamar, Monmouth, Stephen F. Austin, North Dakota, UAlbany, Mercer, Campbell, and Harvard.