North Dakota State Secures Top Seed in FCS Playoff Bracket

Defending national champion North Dakota State has clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the 24-team Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff field, as announced on Sunday. The Bison, finishing the regular season with an impressive record of 12-0, achieved an unbeaten season for the first time since 2019. Throughout the season, they averaged a record-setting 42.2 points per game while allowing just 11.7 points and 238 yards per game, the best defensive statistics in the FCS.

Joining North Dakota State as top seeds in the playoffs are Montana State, Montana, and Tarleton State. Montana State secured the No. 2 seed with a narrow 31-28 victory over Montana in their traditional rivalry game, the Brawl of the Wild. Both teams are now on a potential collision course, needing two wins each to meet again in the FCS semifinals.

The FCS playoff structure includes automatic berths awarded to teams from 11 conferences, complemented by 13 at-large selections. The top eight teams will enjoy first-round byes, with all playoff matches taking place on the campus of the higher seed until the national championship game, scheduled for January 5, 2026, in Nashville.

The playoffs commence on November 29, 2025. The second round will take place on December 6, followed by the quarterfinals on December 12-13. The national semifinals are set for December 20.

In addition to the key matchups, historical rivalries have played a significant role in shaping the playoff landscape. Lehigh secured the Patriot League title with a victory over Lafayette, while Yale achieved an upset against Harvard to win the Ivy League and claim the conference’s first-ever playoff spot. Harvard also earned an at-large berth in the field.

The Missouri Valley Conference has made a strong showing, with six teams earning playoff bids, including all four teams from the Dakotas. A notable highlight includes South Dakota State achieving their 15th consecutive FCS playoff appearance, thanks to an overtime win against North Dakota.

As the anticipation builds for the road to Nashville, fans and players alike look forward to the upcoming playoffs, where every game will have significant stakes and the potential for thrilling matchups. The journey to the championship title officially begins now.