{
    "meta": {
        "service": "Versus Sports Simulator",
        "about": "Versus Sports Simulator's projection of the FCS playoff field the selection committee might pick in December, if the rest of the season goes the way Versus expects.",
        "disclaimer": "A projection produced by the Versus Sports Simulator ratings, not the selection committee's field. The committee picks the real field once the regular season ends.",
        "sport": "College football",
        "division": "FCS",
        "season": "2026-2027",
        "week": 5,
        "isLatestWeek": false,
        "ratingsDate": "2026-09-27",
        "view": {
            "pickedBy": "committee",
            "fieldAsOf": "end-of-season",
            "description": "Versus Sports Simulator's projection of the FCS playoff field the selection committee might pick in December, if the rest of the season goes the way Versus expects."
        },
        "url": "https://www.versussportssimulator.com/college-football/fcs/playoff-projection/2026/week-5.json",
        "htmlUrl": "https://www.versussportssimulator.com/college-football/fcs/playoff-projection/2026/week-5",
        "license": "Free to quote with attribution to Versus Sports Simulator and a link to https://www.versussportssimulator.com/college-football/fcs/playoff-projection/2026/week-5"
    },
    "format": {
        "fieldSize": 24,
        "byes": 8,
        "seededThrough": 16,
        "automaticBids": 11
    },
    "field": [
        {
            "seed": 1,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Montana St",
            "abbreviation": "MTST",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Big Sky champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 58.7,
            "record": "11-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 1,
            "versusRank": 1,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 36,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 2,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 2,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Stephen F. Austin",
            "abbreviation": "SFA",
            "conference": "Southland",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Southland champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 86.2,
            "record": "12-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 3,
            "versusRank": 2,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 77,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 5,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 3,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Austin Peay",
            "abbreviation": "PEAY",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "UAC champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 79.8,
            "record": "11-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 10,
            "versusRank": 4,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 59,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 4,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 4,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Lehigh",
            "abbreviation": "LEH",
            "conference": "Patriot League",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Patriot League champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 66,
            "record": "11-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 4,
            "versusRank": 5,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 74,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 12,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 5,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "South Dakota St",
            "abbreviation": "SDS",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Missouri Valley champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 64.3,
            "record": "10-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 6,
            "versusRank": 3,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 26,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 1,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 6,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Tennessee Tech",
            "abbreviation": "TNTC",
            "conference": "Southern",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Southern champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 68.3,
            "record": "10-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 5,
            "versusRank": 6,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 62,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 8,
            "playoffChance": 99.9
        },
        {
            "seed": 7,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Idaho St",
            "abbreviation": "IDST",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "10-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 9,
            "versusRank": 9,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 46,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 10,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 8,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Tarleton St",
            "abbreviation": "TAR",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "10-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 2,
            "versusRank": 11,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 58,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 15,
            "playoffChance": 100
        },
        {
            "seed": 9,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Montana",
            "abbreviation": "MONT",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "9-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 8,
            "versusRank": 10,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 21,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 13,
            "playoffChance": 96.8
        },
        {
            "seed": 10,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "St Thomas MN",
            "abbreviation": "STM",
            "conference": "Pioneer",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Pioneer champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 47,
            "record": "11-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 24,
            "versusRank": 22,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 118,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 27,
            "playoffChance": 99.3
        },
        {
            "seed": 11,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Campbell",
            "abbreviation": "CAMP",
            "conference": "CAA",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "CAA champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 47.1,
            "record": "10-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 17,
            "versusRank": 19,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 92,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 22,
            "playoffChance": 97.5
        },
        {
            "seed": 12,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "North Dakota",
            "abbreviation": "UND",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 7,
            "versusRank": 13,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 11,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 9,
            "playoffChance": 85.2
        },
        {
            "seed": 13,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Colgate",
            "abbreviation": "COLG",
            "conference": "Patriot League",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "9-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 23,
            "versusRank": 18,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 43,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 23,
            "playoffChance": 94.8
        },
        {
            "seed": 14,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "South Dakota",
            "abbreviation": "SDAK",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 19,
            "versusRank": 14,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 10,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 7,
            "playoffChance": 78.5
        },
        {
            "seed": 15,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Illinois St",
            "abbreviation": "ILST",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 21,
            "versusRank": 15,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 34,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 11,
            "playoffChance": 90.3
        },
        {
            "seed": 16,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Butler",
            "abbreviation": "BUT",
            "conference": "Pioneer",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "9-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 29,
            "versusRank": 25,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 113,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 50,
            "playoffChance": 90.1
        },
        {
            "seed": 17,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Texas-Rio Grande Valley",
            "abbreviation": "UTRGV",
            "conference": "Southland",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 30,
            "versusRank": 20,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 49,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 19,
            "playoffChance": 60.9
        },
        {
            "seed": 18,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Youngstown St",
            "abbreviation": "YSU",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 11,
            "currentRank": 14,
            "versusRank": 8,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 13,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 3,
            "playoffChance": 59.4
        },
        {
            "seed": 19,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Lamar",
            "abbreviation": "LAM",
            "conference": "Southland",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 15,
            "versusRank": 21,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 63,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 17,
            "playoffChance": 69.8
        },
        {
            "seed": 20,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "West Florida",
            "abbreviation": "WFL",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 11,
            "currentRank": 16,
            "versusRank": 12,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 23,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 14,
            "playoffChance": 69.8
        },
        {
            "seed": 21,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Monmouth NJ",
            "abbreviation": "MONM",
            "conference": "CAA",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 28,
            "versusRank": 26,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 91,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 30,
            "playoffChance": 57.1
        },
        {
            "seed": 22,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Western Illinois",
            "abbreviation": "WIU",
            "conference": "OVC",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "OVC champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 35.8,
            "record": "8-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 12,
            "currentRank": 61,
            "versusRank": 39,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 76,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 32,
            "playoffChance": 35.8
        },
        {
            "seed": 23,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Harvard",
            "abbreviation": "HARV",
            "conference": "Ivy League",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Ivy League champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 32.2,
            "record": "8-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 10,
            "currentRank": 12,
            "versusRank": 16,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 48,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 28,
            "playoffChance": 32.2
        },
        {
            "seed": 24,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Central Conn St",
            "abbreviation": "CCSU",
            "conference": "Northeast",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Northeast champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": 38.5,
            "record": "7-4",
            "gamesPlayed": 11,
            "currentRank": 82,
            "versusRank": 64,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 109,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 69,
            "playoffChance": 38.5
        }
    ],
    "firstTeamsOut": [
        {
            "team": "Northern Arizona",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "record": "7-5",
            "playoffChance": 32.9
        },
        {
            "team": "Dayton",
            "conference": "Pioneer",
            "record": "10-1",
            "playoffChance": 28.2
        },
        {
            "team": "North Alabama",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "record": "7-5",
            "playoffChance": 17
        },
        {
            "team": "Bryant",
            "conference": "CAA",
            "record": "8-4",
            "playoffChance": 22.1
        },
        {
            "team": "SE Missouri St",
            "conference": "OVC",
            "record": "7-5",
            "playoffChance": 37.5
        }
    ],
    "firstRoundTravel": {
        "totalMiles": 5911,
        "tripsUnder400Miles": 3,
        "trips": 8,
        "milesUnderSeedOrder": 2800,
        "games": [
            {
                "hostSeed": 9,
                "host": "Montana",
                "visitorSeed": 17,
                "visitor": "Texas-Rio Grande Valley",
                "site": "Missoula, MT",
                "miles": 1662,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 10,
                "host": "St Thomas MN",
                "visitorSeed": 22,
                "visitor": "Western Illinois",
                "site": "Saint Paul, MN",
                "miles": 334,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 11,
                "host": "Campbell",
                "visitorSeed": 24,
                "visitor": "Central Conn St",
                "site": "Buies Creek, NC",
                "miles": 541,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 12,
                "host": "North Dakota",
                "visitorSeed": 21,
                "visitor": "Monmouth NJ",
                "site": "Grand Forks, ND",
                "miles": 1254,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 13,
                "host": "Colgate",
                "visitorSeed": 23,
                "visitor": "Harvard",
                "site": "Hamilton, NY",
                "miles": 227,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 14,
                "host": "South Dakota",
                "visitorSeed": 19,
                "visitor": "Lamar",
                "site": "Vermillion, SD",
                "miles": 895,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 15,
                "host": "Illinois St",
                "visitorSeed": 20,
                "visitor": "West Florida",
                "site": "Normal, IL",
                "miles": 695,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 16,
                "host": "Butler",
                "visitorSeed": 18,
                "visitor": "Youngstown St",
                "site": "Indianapolis, IN",
                "miles": 303,
                "over400": false
            }
        ]
    },
    "bracket": [
        {
            "round": "First Round",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Youngstown St",
                    "bottom": "Butler",
                    "host": "Butler",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Youngstown St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 93
                },
                {
                    "top": "Texas-Rio Grande Valley",
                    "bottom": "Montana",
                    "host": "Montana",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Montana",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 61
                },
                {
                    "top": "Monmouth NJ",
                    "bottom": "North Dakota",
                    "host": "North Dakota",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "North Dakota",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 88
                },
                {
                    "top": "Harvard",
                    "bottom": "Colgate",
                    "host": "Colgate",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Colgate",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 59
                },
                {
                    "top": "West Florida",
                    "bottom": "Illinois St",
                    "host": "Illinois St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Illinois St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 72
                },
                {
                    "top": "Western Illinois",
                    "bottom": "St Thomas MN",
                    "host": "St Thomas MN",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Western Illinois",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 69
                },
                {
                    "top": "Central Conn St",
                    "bottom": "Campbell",
                    "host": "Campbell",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Campbell",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 83
                },
                {
                    "top": "Lamar",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota",
                    "host": "South Dakota",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 80
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "Second Round",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Montana St",
                    "bottom": "Youngstown St",
                    "host": "Montana St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Montana St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 52
                },
                {
                    "top": "Tarleton St",
                    "bottom": "Montana",
                    "host": "Tarleton St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Tarleton St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 56
                },
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota St",
                    "bottom": "North Dakota",
                    "host": "South Dakota St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 77
                },
                {
                    "top": "Lehigh",
                    "bottom": "Colgate",
                    "host": "Lehigh",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Lehigh",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 69
                },
                {
                    "top": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "bottom": "Illinois St",
                    "host": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 68
                },
                {
                    "top": "Idaho St",
                    "bottom": "Western Illinois",
                    "host": "Idaho St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Idaho St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 62
                },
                {
                    "top": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "bottom": "Campbell",
                    "host": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 77
                },
                {
                    "top": "Austin Peay",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota",
                    "host": "Austin Peay",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Austin Peay",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 70
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "Quarterfinals",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Montana St",
                    "bottom": "Tarleton St",
                    "host": "Montana St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Montana St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 73
                },
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota St",
                    "bottom": "Lehigh",
                    "host": "Lehigh",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 79
                },
                {
                    "top": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "bottom": "Idaho St",
                    "host": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 81
                },
                {
                    "top": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "bottom": "Austin Peay",
                    "host": "Austin Peay",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Austin Peay",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 72
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "Semifinals",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Montana St",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota St",
                    "host": "Montana St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 59
                },
                {
                    "top": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "bottom": "Austin Peay",
                    "host": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 58
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "FCS Championship",
            "onCampus": false,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota St",
                    "bottom": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "host": null,
                    "neutralSite": true,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 55
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}