As we eagerly anticipate Selection Sunday, set for November 24, when the official FCS playoff bracket will be unveiled, it's time to make some bold predictions for the 2024 field. The selection show kicks off at 11:30 a.m. CT on ESPNU, and fans are itching to see how the postseason will unfold.

This year's bracket promises to be exciting, especially with the recent expansion that has brought 16 seeded teams into play, marking a significant increase from the previous 8 seeds. This means seeds 1-8 will enjoy a first-round bye, while seeds 9-16 will host first-round games at home—provided they hit the minimum requirements.

Predicted Seeds:

1. Montana State (12-0) 2. South Dakota State (10-2) 3. North Dakota State (10-2) 4. South Dakota (8-4) 5. UC Davis (10-2) 6. Idaho (9-3) 7. Mercer (10-2) 8. Richmond (10-2) 9. UIW (10-2) 10. Rhode Island (10-2) 11. Villanova (9-3) 12. Montana (8-4) 13. Abilene Christian (8-4) 14. Illinois State (9-3) 15. Tarleton State (9-3) 16. SEMO (9-3)

Automatic Bids:

These are secured by conference champions: - Big Sky: Montana State - Big South/OVC: SEMO - CAA: Richmond - MVFC: South Dakota State - NEC: CCSU - Patriot: Lehigh - Pioneer: Drake - SoCon: Mercer - Southland: UIW - UAC: Abilene Christian

At-Large Bids:

Ordered from most to least likely to receive bids: - South Dakota (seed) - North Dakota State (seed) - UC Davis (seed) - Idaho (seed) - Rhode Island (seed) - Villanova (seed) - Montana (seed) - Illinois State (seed) - Tarleton State (seed) - Eastern Kentucky

Last Four In:

- Tennessee State - Northern Arizona - New Hampshire - Southern Utah

Bubble Teams Left Out:

Ranked by their chances of making it: - UT Martin - Western Carolina - Stony Brook - Southeastern Louisiana - Chattanooga - NC Central

Bracket Format Changes:

This year, the FCS playoff bracket emphasizes geographical matchups for the first round, aimed at minimizing travel costs while pairing teams within a 400-mile radius wherever possible. Conference matchups are carefully considered to avoid regular-season rematches, making the draw even more unpredictable.

Why Montana State Will Shine:

The committee is likely to award Montana State the No. 1 seed, and rightly so, given their impressive undefeated record and crucial FBS victory, along with three wins against currently-ranked opponents. The following seeds, particularly those for South Dakota, North Dakota State, and South Dakota State, promise to stir debate, as all teams contend with similar records and tough competition.

The Playoff Committee's Dilemma:

The tussle for seeds 2-4 is particularly intriguing. North Dakota State has the edge with the strongest overall performance, but South Dakota State may benefit from its championship pedigree. Meanwhile, South Dakota's head-to-head win against NDSU adds fuel to the heated discussions within the committee.

Final Thoughts:

As we draw closer to Selection Sunday, the excitement around the FCS playoff predictions is palpable. With the possibility of thrilling first-round matchups and the uncertainty of how the committee will weigh prior performances, fans are in for a dramatic postseason full of surprises. Stay tuned as the landscape of FCS football could very well shift in this final stretch!