FCS Playoffs 2013: Dates, Schedule, Teams, Bracket and More

NCAA Division I FCS football teams will enjoy their 35th straight year with playoffs in 2013 while FBS schools are forced to wait another season for the postseason luxury.

Here is a schedule made up of dates and clubs that will compete for the Division I-AA title, as well as the players to watch. Visit NCAA.com for a complete bracket.

First Round on Nov. 30

Game 1: New Hampshire vs. Lafayette at 12 p.m. ET

Game 2: South Carolina State vs. Furman at 1 p.m. ET

Game 3: Coastal Carolina vs. Bethune-Cookman at 1 p.m. ET

Game 4: Fordham vs. Sacred Heart at 1 p.m. ET

Game 5: Butler vs. Tennessee State at 1 p.m. ET

Game 6: Sam Houston State vs. Southern Utah at 3 p.m. ET

Game 7: Northern Arizona vs. South Dakota State at 8 p.m. ET

Game 8: Jacksonville State vs. Samford at 8 p.m. ET

Second Round on Dec. 7

No. 1 North Dakota State vs. Winner of Game 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET

No. 2 Eastern Illinois vs. Winner of Game 5 at 2 p.m. ET

No. 3 Eastern Washington vs. Winner of Game 7 at 4 p.m. ET

No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana vs. Winner of Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET

No. 5 Maine vs. Winner of Game 1 at 2 p.m. ET

No. 6 McNeese State vs. Winner of Game 8 at 7 p.m. ET

No. 7 Towson vs. Winner of Game 4 at 1 p.m. ET

No. 8 Montana vs. Winner of Game 3 at 2 p.m. ET

Matchups TBD

Quarterfinals on Dec. 13-14

Semifinals on Dec. 20-21

Championship on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. ET

Players to Watch

WR Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington

Kupp wasted no time throwing himself into the discussion of who’s the best receiver in Division I-AA.

The 6’2”, 195-pound freshman has reeled in 77 receptions for 1,378 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Few have caught more balls for more yards this year, and no one has caught more touchdowns.

DE Andrew Carter, South Carolina State

Carter must continue to wreak havoc in opposing backfields for South Carolina State to upset North Dakota State in Round 2.

The edge pass rusher has racked up nine solo sacks on the season. His 11.0 total sacks were the fifth most in the nation and more than any other defender in the FCS playoffs.

HB Terrance West, Towson

Towson must ride its all-world workhorse to capture the 2013 FCS national championship.

West carried the ball 25.1 times per game in the regular season, and he did so efficiently for 6.2 yards a pop. On the year, he rushed for 1,875 yards and 30 touchdowns—both the best in the nation.

CB J.D. Roussel, Sacred Heart

Roussel is as close as it gets to a shutdown corner in the FCS this season.

The senior defensive back is tied for the league lead with six interceptions. He’s also fourth in passes defended with 18, three more than any other defender with as many picks.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois

Garoppolo is the primary reason why Eastern Illinois is in its fortunate position.

He leads all FCS quarterbacks with 4,489 yards and 48 touchdowns through the air. He’s also only thrown eight picks in the process, earning him the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the nation by far.

David Daniels is a breaking news writer at Bleacher Report and news editor at Wade-O Radio.

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