The bowl season hasn’t arrived, and the FBS College Football Playoff may be three weeks away, but there’s still college football to enjoy. High-stakes games at that -- the FCS playoffs have reached its second to last weekend, with four big games to decide who will advance to the division’s final four.
FCS playoffs 2015 schedule: Times, TV schedule and live stream for quarterfinals
The original college football playoff is down to the final eight teams, and that number will be cut in half this weekend. Follow the action right here.
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Just as we’ve come to expect from tournaments in other college sports, there’s a nice mix of chalk and Cinderella teams still alive. Unseeded Sam Houston State, Colgate and Northern Iowa are in the mix after pulling some upsets last weekend. Favorites like Jacksonville State, Illinois State and North Dakota State are still here, as are Nos. 7 and 8 seeds Richmond and Charleston Southern. There’s a guarantee of at least one unseeded team making it to the semi-finals.
Here’s everything you need to know to stay on top of the action this weekend:
How to watch, stream and listen (all times ET):
No. 7 Richmond at No. 2 Illinois State
TV: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3
Radio: Richmond, Illinois State
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: Illinois State is favored by 12 points.
One big thing to know
The Redbirds were undefeated at home this weekend, and are led by Brock Spack, who spent 11 years at Purdue as the defensive coordinator under Joe Tiller. They’re led by star tailback Marshaun Coprich, who finished second in all of the FCS subdivision with 1,937 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
No. 8 Charleston Southern at No. 1 Jacksonville State
TV: Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: Jacksonville State is favored by 11 points.
One big thing to know
The top-seeded Gamecocks are a mainstay in the playoffs in recent years, but haven’t won a title since 1992, when they played in Division II. They’ve maintained dominance in the Ohio Valley Conference in the last few years, winning the conference title outright the last two years under head coach John Grass.
Northern Iowa at No. 3 North Dakota State
TV: Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN
Radio: Northern Iowa, North Dakota State
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: North Dakota State is favored by 6.5 points.
One big thing to know
The Bison are the four-time defending national champions that have made a reputation for upending FBS opponents as well, with wins over Minnesota, Colorado State, Iowa State and Kansas State in recent years. Star quarterback Carson Wentz returned to practice this week, although his status for the game is still up in the air.
Sam Houston State at Colgate
TV: Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN3
Radio: Sam Houston State, Colgate
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: Sam Houston State is favored by 10.5 points.
One big thing to know
The Cougars pulled a 34-29 upset in the previous round over conference mate and 4th-seeded McNeese State, marking the second consecutive season they’ve at least make it to the quarterfinals. For Colgate, it marks the first time since 2003 that the Raiders have advanced past the first round.
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