{
    "meta": {
        "service": "Versus Sports Simulator",
        "about": "Versus Sports Simulator's projection of the FCS playoff field the selection committee might pick if the playoffs began today, from games already played.",
        "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": "today",
            "description": "Versus Sports Simulator's projection of the FCS playoff field the selection committee might pick if the playoffs began today, from games already played."
        },
        "url": "https://www.versussportssimulator.com/college-football/fcs/playoff-projection/2026/week-5.json?as=today",
        "htmlUrl": "https://www.versussportssimulator.com/college-football/fcs/playoff-projection/2026/week-5?as=today",
        "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?as=today"
    },
    "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": null,
            "record": "5-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 1,
            "versusRank": 1,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 61,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 1,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 2,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Stephen F. Austin",
            "abbreviation": "SFA",
            "conference": "Southland",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Southland champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "5-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 3,
            "versusRank": 3,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 91,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 3,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 3,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Lehigh",
            "abbreviation": "LEH",
            "conference": "Patriot League",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Patriot League champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "5-0",
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            "versusRank": 4,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 92,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 10,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 4,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "South Dakota St",
            "abbreviation": "SDS",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Missouri Valley champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 6,
            "versusRank": 6,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 80,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 8,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 5,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "North Dakota",
            "abbreviation": "UND",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
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            "versusRank": 7,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 48,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 9,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 6,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Montana",
            "abbreviation": "MONT",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 8,
            "versusRank": 8,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 47,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 18,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 7,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Tarleton St",
            "abbreviation": "TAR",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "UAC champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 4,
            "currentRank": 2,
            "versusRank": 2,
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            "strengthOfRecordRank": 6,
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        },
        {
            "seed": 8,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": true,
            "team": "Austin Peay",
            "abbreviation": "PEAY",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 10,
            "versusRank": 10,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 59,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 4,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 9,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Tennessee Tech",
            "abbreviation": "TNTC",
            "conference": "Southern",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Southern champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 4,
            "currentRank": 5,
            "versusRank": 5,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 76,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 5,
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        },
        {
            "seed": 10,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Campbell",
            "abbreviation": "CAMP",
            "conference": "CAA",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "CAA champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
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            "currentRank": 17,
            "versusRank": 17,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 74,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 11,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 11,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Idaho St",
            "abbreviation": "IDST",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 4,
            "currentRank": 9,
            "versusRank": 9,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 96,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 2,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 12,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Richmond",
            "abbreviation": "RICH",
            "conference": "Patriot League",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
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            "currentRank": 20,
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            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 77,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 17,
            "playoffChance": null
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        {
            "seed": 13,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Illinois St",
            "abbreviation": "ILST",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 21,
            "versusRank": 21,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 106,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 13,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 14,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Colgate",
            "abbreviation": "COLG",
            "conference": "Patriot League",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 23,
            "versusRank": 23,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 66,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 22,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 15,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Youngstown St",
            "abbreviation": "YSU",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "3-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 14,
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            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 30,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 14,
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        },
        {
            "seed": 16,
            "seeded": true,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "St Thomas MN",
            "abbreviation": "STM",
            "conference": "Pioneer",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Pioneer champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 24,
            "versusRank": 24,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 87,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 28,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 17,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Northern Arizona",
            "abbreviation": "NAU",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "3-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 18,
            "versusRank": 18,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 22,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 24,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 18,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "South Dakota",
            "abbreviation": "SDAK",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "3-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 19,
            "versusRank": 19,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 31,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 16,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 19,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Butler",
            "abbreviation": "BUT",
            "conference": "Pioneer",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "4-1",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 29,
            "versusRank": 29,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 115,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 36,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 20,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "UC-Davis",
            "abbreviation": "UCD",
            "conference": "Big Sky",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "3-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 22,
            "versusRank": 22,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 33,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 42,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 21,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Southern Illinois",
            "abbreviation": "SIU",
            "conference": "Missouri Valley",
            "bidType": "at-large",
            "bidDetail": "At-large",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "3-2",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 25,
            "versusRank": 25,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 50,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 19,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 22,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Harvard",
            "abbreviation": "HARV",
            "conference": "Ivy League",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Ivy League champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "2-0",
            "gamesPlayed": 2,
            "currentRank": 12,
            "versusRank": 12,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 107,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 23,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 23,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "SE Missouri St",
            "abbreviation": "SEMO",
            "conference": "OVC",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "OVC champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "2-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 5,
            "currentRank": 49,
            "versusRank": 49,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 14,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 29,
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "seed": 24,
            "seeded": false,
            "bye": false,
            "team": "Central Conn St",
            "abbreviation": "CCSU",
            "conference": "Northeast",
            "bidType": "automatic",
            "bidDetail": "Northeast champion",
            "conferenceTitleChance": null,
            "record": "0-3",
            "gamesPlayed": 3,
            "currentRank": 82,
            "versusRank": 82,
            "strengthOfScheduleRank": 1,
            "strengthOfRecordRank": 123,
            "playoffChance": null
        }
    ],
    "firstTeamsOut": [
        {
            "team": "Lamar",
            "conference": "Southland",
            "record": "3-1",
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "team": "West Florida",
            "conference": "UAC",
            "record": "3-1",
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "team": "East Tennessee St",
            "conference": "Southern",
            "record": "3-2",
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "team": "Monmouth NJ",
            "conference": "CAA",
            "record": "3-2",
            "playoffChance": null
        },
        {
            "team": "Elon",
            "conference": "CAA",
            "record": "4-1",
            "playoffChance": null
        }
    ],
    "firstRoundTravel": {
        "totalMiles": 5526,
        "tripsUnder400Miles": 5,
        "trips": 8,
        "milesUnderSeedOrder": 2944,
        "games": [
            {
                "hostSeed": 9,
                "host": "Tennessee Tech",
                "visitorSeed": 21,
                "visitor": "Southern Illinois",
                "site": "Cookeville, TN",
                "miles": 231,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 10,
                "host": "Campbell",
                "visitorSeed": 17,
                "visitor": "Northern Arizona",
                "site": "Buies Creek, NC",
                "miles": 1848,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 11,
                "host": "Idaho St",
                "visitorSeed": 18,
                "visitor": "South Dakota",
                "site": "Pocatello, ID",
                "miles": 785,
                "over400": true
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 12,
                "host": "Richmond",
                "visitorSeed": 24,
                "visitor": "Central Conn St",
                "site": "University of Richmond, VA",
                "miles": 381,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 13,
                "host": "Illinois St",
                "visitorSeed": 23,
                "visitor": "SE Missouri St",
                "site": "Normal, IL",
                "miles": 223,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 14,
                "host": "Colgate",
                "visitorSeed": 22,
                "visitor": "Harvard",
                "site": "Hamilton, NY",
                "miles": 227,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 15,
                "host": "Youngstown St",
                "visitorSeed": 19,
                "visitor": "Butler",
                "site": "Youngstown, OH",
                "miles": 303,
                "over400": false
            },
            {
                "hostSeed": 16,
                "host": "St Thomas MN",
                "visitorSeed": 20,
                "visitor": "UC-Davis",
                "site": "Saint Paul, MN",
                "miles": 1528,
                "over400": true
            }
        ]
    },
    "bracket": [
        {
            "round": "First Round",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "UC-Davis",
                    "bottom": "St Thomas MN",
                    "host": "St Thomas MN",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "St Thomas MN",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 64
                },
                {
                    "top": "Southern Illinois",
                    "bottom": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "host": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 67
                },
                {
                    "top": "Central Conn St",
                    "bottom": "Richmond",
                    "host": "Richmond",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Richmond",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 57
                },
                {
                    "top": "SE Missouri St",
                    "bottom": "Illinois St",
                    "host": "Illinois St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Illinois St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 78
                },
                {
                    "top": "Butler",
                    "bottom": "Youngstown St",
                    "host": "Youngstown St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Youngstown St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 96
                },
                {
                    "top": "Northern Arizona",
                    "bottom": "Campbell",
                    "host": "Campbell",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Campbell",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 62
                },
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota",
                    "bottom": "Idaho St",
                    "host": "Idaho St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 56
                },
                {
                    "top": "Harvard",
                    "bottom": "Colgate",
                    "host": "Colgate",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Colgate",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 59
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "Second Round",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Montana St",
                    "bottom": "St Thomas MN",
                    "host": "Montana St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Montana St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 92
                },
                {
                    "top": "Austin Peay",
                    "bottom": "Tennessee Tech",
                    "host": "Austin Peay",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Austin Peay",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 72
                },
                {
                    "top": "North Dakota",
                    "bottom": "Richmond",
                    "host": "North Dakota",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "North Dakota",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 93
                },
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota St",
                    "bottom": "Illinois St",
                    "host": "South Dakota St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 73
                },
                {
                    "top": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "bottom": "Youngstown St",
                    "host": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 62
                },
                {
                    "top": "Tarleton St",
                    "bottom": "Campbell",
                    "host": "Tarleton St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Tarleton St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 69
                },
                {
                    "top": "Montana",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota",
                    "host": "Montana",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 56
                },
                {
                    "top": "Lehigh",
                    "bottom": "Colgate",
                    "host": "Lehigh",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Lehigh",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 69
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "Quarterfinals",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Montana St",
                    "bottom": "Austin Peay",
                    "host": "Montana St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Austin Peay",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 52
                },
                {
                    "top": "North Dakota",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota St",
                    "host": "South Dakota St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 77
                },
                {
                    "top": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "bottom": "Tarleton St",
                    "host": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 81
                },
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota",
                    "bottom": "Lehigh",
                    "host": "Lehigh",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 60
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "Semifinals",
            "onCampus": true,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "Austin Peay",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota St",
                    "host": "South Dakota St",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 63
                },
                {
                    "top": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "bottom": "South Dakota",
                    "host": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "neutralSite": false,
                    "favorite": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 71
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "round": "FCS Championship",
            "onCampus": false,
            "games": [
                {
                    "top": "South Dakota St",
                    "bottom": "Stephen F. Austin",
                    "host": null,
                    "neutralSite": true,
                    "favorite": "South Dakota St",
                    "favoriteWinChance": 55
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}