Final 2017 FCS Playoff Projections

The 2017 FCS football season has wrapped up the regular season run, and brackets for the playoffs will be announced tomorrow. With the regular season finally in the books completely, here are my final projections before brackets are announced tomorrow. These teams are in no certain order:

1. James Madison: Finished the season undefeated, and should be a top overall seed.
2. Southern Utah: Tied with Weber State for Big Sky title, and will be a lock.
3. Weber State: Wildcats are a lock as co-champs of the Big Sky.
4. Kennesaw State: Owls locked down the Big South title with win over Monmouth in finale.
5. Stony Brook: Sea Wolves are in as the number 2 team in CAA and 9-2 record.
6. Elon: Phoenix should be in at 8-3 as number 3 team from CAA.
7. North Carolina A&T: Aggies finish 11-0, won the MEAC, will take playoff bid over bowl game.
8. North Dakota State: At 10-1, Bison ready to make another run as MVC champs.
9. South Dakota State: 9-2 Jackrabbits should be a lock as #3 team in MVC.
10. Northern Iowa: UNI should be a last 4 in with 7-4 record in MVC.
11. Western Illinois: Leathernecks are my 4th team in from powerful MVC.
12. Central Connecticut: Blue Devils locked down NEC by 2 games.
13. Jacksonville State: Gamecocks are a final 4 candidate after rolling through OVC.
14. Austin Peay: One of the feel good stories of 2017, won 8 games in major turnaround season.
15. Lehigh: Mountain Hawks will be bottom seed after winning tie breaker in Patriot at 5-6.
16. San Diego: Toreros are scary and sneaky out of the PFL.
17. Wofford: Terriers won SoCon with nine wins on the season.
18. Samford: Bulldogs, as the second seed in SoCon, should and will be a lock.
19. Furman: Paladins should be 3rd team in out of SoCon.
20. Central Arkansas: Bears have huge run in 2017, finish 9-0 in SLC play.
21. Sam Houston State: Bearkats only loss in SLC play was to UCA.
22. Nicholls: Another major feel good story, the Colonels finished with 8 wins.
23. McNeese State: Cowboys should be solid lock with 9 wins on season.
24. South Dakota or Colgate: Both finished 7-4 in 2017, but USD likely gets the edge for final spot.