The Rankings Begin: 24 to 1

24. Central Connecticut State (CCSU) Despite finishing with a 7-5 record, CCSU faces a daunting challenge against #10 seed Rhode Island (10-2) in the opening round. The Rams have the momentum and firepower to push deep into the playoffs, making this matchup quite the uphill battle for CCSU.

23. Drake Drake, a non-scholarship program, is set to clash with #13 seed Tarleton State, marking the Texans' first-ever FCS playoff appearance. While Drake has faced tougher competition, they’ll aim to surprise in this pivotal game.

22. Lehigh With a 9-3 record, Lehigh heads into a tough match against #9 seed Richmond. Richmond feels overlooked with their impressive stats, so expect a fierce battle as the Spiders look to prove they belong.

21. Tennessee State After a remarkable turnaround season, Tennessee State enters the playoffs but must contend with #14 seed Montana at one of the most challenging venues in FCS. The stakes couldn’t be higher!

20. Eastern Kentucky Eastern Kentucky's opening game at #11 seed Villanova won’t be easy either. Villanova is undefeated at home this season, and they’ll be tough to unseat in what promises to be an intense encounter.

19. UT Martin Earning the best match-up against a seeded team, UT Martin faces #16 seed New Hampshire. The Wildcats are on a roll, having won four straight. This game will be a crucial test for both squads.

18. Northern Arizona Northern Arizona's bout with #15 seed Abilene Christian is expected to be a close one. Both teams will be looking to establish dominance early in the playoffs.

17. Abilene Christian Facing the challenge posed by Northern Arizona, Abilene Christian will need to step up to advance. However, even if they win, a daunting second-round clash awaits with #2 seed North Dakota State.

16. Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) Hosting #12 seed Illinois State, SEMO finds themselves in a precarious position after losing two of their last three games. They desperately need to regain momentum in this playoff opener.

15. New Hampshire With a strong finish to their season, New Hampshire will vie for victory against UT Martin. Should they win, they’ll face the formidable #1 seed Montana State in an uphill battle.

14. Montana The Grizzlies have the advantage as they host Tennessee State, and a night game certainly plays into their favor, but a challenge against #3 seed South Dakota looms in the second round.

13. Illinois State Unable to host SEMO due to scheduling conflicts, Illinois State enters this matchup on a five-game win streak. A win could lead them to a challenging encounter with #5 seed UC Davis.

12. Tarleton State Making their playoff debut against Drake, Tarleton has a favorable opening draw. However, a potential second-round game against #4 seed South Dakota could provide a true test of their mettle.

11. Villanova Fresh off a significant victory against rival Delaware, Villanova enters as the #11 seed facing Eastern Kentucky. They will need to maintain their momentum if they hope to advance.

10. Rhode Island Rhode Island should feel confident as they host CCSU. An exciting second-round matchup against #7 seed Mercer awaits if they secure a win.

9. UIW (University of the Incarnate Word) The UIW team is looking for redemption after a surprising slide to #6 seed. They have a potential rematch against either Villanova or Eastern Kentucky in the second round, setting the stage for who comes out on top.

8. Mercer Potentially facing Rhode Island in the second round, Mercer is one of the top SoCon teams looking to showcase their skills against a strong CAA opponent.

7. Richmond Feeling slighted not to receive a first-round bye, Richmond looks dangerous as they take on Lehigh. A win could lead them to face Idaho, marking an intriguing matchup in the following round.

6. Idaho There are widely circulating sentiments among fans that Idaho was undervalued as the #8 seed. A matchup against Richmond in the second round will put their worth to the test once more.

5. UC Davis Ranked #5, UC Davis features a strong resume with a record of 10-2 and two Top 10 victories. They will aim for a quarterfinal clash that could make or break their title aspirations.

4. South Dakota Proving their national title contention, South Dakota recently overcame NDSU, showcasing their talents. But their route includes challenging matchups that could test their depth and resilience.

3. SDSU (South Dakota State University) Next up is SDSU, who has looked increasingly formidable as the season progressed. A semifinal bout against NDSU could be the tipping point for their campaign to make it to Frisco.

2. North Dakota State (NDSU) NDSU represents a powerhouse with a strong track record and seasoned squad aiming to reclaim their glory. A challenging semifinal awaits, potentially against rival SDSU.

1. Montana State Crowned the #1 seed, Montana State appears to have the clearest path to the championship. With a well-rounded team and significant momentum built throughout the season, they look poised to capture the elusive national title, but they must remain vigilant as formidable competition looms ahead.

The excitement is palpable as these 24 teams vie for glory this postseason. Be sure to follow along as the playoff picture evolves and favorites emerge on the journey to Frisco!