The FCS Playoff is down to its final four teams, and the semifinal round should be full of high-level play as we get close to crowning the FCS champion. Three of the top four seeds in the Playoff have advanced this far, and they’re names that you should recognize if you’re familiar with this level of football at all.
FCS playoff bracket 2016: Times, TV schedule, and live stream for semifinals
Familiar faces take center stage as the FCS Playoff shrinks to four teams.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, North Dakota State is ready to play. They avenged their only loss of the season last weekend in the quarterfinals, blowing out South Dakota State, 36-10. The Bison are back in the FargoDome again for the semifinals, where they’ll host No. 4 seed James Madison. The Dukes smashed Sam Houston State, 65-7, building a 35-0 lead in the first 20 minutes before coasting. The imposing North Dakota State defense will have their hands full with the rushing attack of Trai Sharp and Khalid Abdullah, who both rushed for over 140 yards last week.
In the other semifinal, Eastern Washington earned their way into this game by making easy work of Richmond, 38-0, last week. The No. 2 seed Eagles will host Youngstown State on their bright red field on Saturday. The Penguins earned their spot in the semis by winning a double-overtime thriller over Wofford, 30-23, and can further upset the Playoff applecart with another win.
Here’s the full schedule for the FCS Playoff semifinals. Both games can be streamed on WatchESPN.
Friday, Dec. 16
North Dakota State vs. James Madison, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Saturday, Dec. 17
Youngstown State vs. Eastern Washington, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Here’s the full playoff bracket, courtesy of the NCAA.
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