A helping of playoff football is coming your way on Thanksgiving weekend.
No, the College Football Playoff doesn't begin until late December, and the NFL playoffs won't start up until January. All football is good football, though, and FCS football can be impeccable entertainment.
Four FCS playoff games last season went to overtime, and the competition is set to heat up on Saturday, Nov. 30 as the first of 23 games to decide a champion kick off.
South Dakota State was the star of the show last season, riding a 59-0 semifinal win over Albany into the national championship game against Montana. The Jackrabbits held the Grizzlies to three points and coasted to a title, but they've 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 consecutive year. The top eight seeds receive first-round byes. The remaining 16 teams will meet in the first round of the playoffs. All games will be played at the home stadiums until the FCS National Championship, which is played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Monday, Jan. 6.
Here's a complete look at the 2024 FCS playoff bracket, including the schedule and how to watch the games.
MORE: Watch the FCS playoff selection show live with Fubo (free trial)
FCS playoff bracket 2024
First-round games
- UT Martin vs. No. 16 New Hampshire
- Northern Arizona vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian
- Tennessee State vs. No. 14 Montana
- Drake vs. No. 13 Tarleton State
- No. 12 Illinois State vs. SE 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 Illinois State High School Championship games at its home stadium.
Second-round games
- 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 Word
- Central Connecticut/No. 10 Rhode Island vs. No. 7 Mercer
- Lehigh/No. 9 Richmond vs. No. 8 Idaho
How to watch 2024 FCS playoff selection show
The FCS playoff selection show will air on ESPN at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. Viewers can stream the show on 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, Nov. 30
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| No. 12 Illinois State vs. SE Missouri State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Central Connecticut vs. No. 10 Rhode Island | 12 p.m. | 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 vs. 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 | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN+ |
Second round
Saturday, Dec. 7
| 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 Word | TBD | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 7 Mercer | TBD | ESPN+ |
| TBD vs. No. 8 idaho | 9 p.m. | ESPN+ |
Quarterfinals
Friday, Dec. 13
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| TBD | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
Saturday, Dec. 14
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| TBD | 12 p.m. | ESPN |
| TBD | 12:05 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
Semifinals
Saturday, Dec. 21
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| TBD | 12 p.m. | ABC |
| TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
National championship
Sunday, Jan. 5
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Semifinal winners | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
