2025 FCS playoffs automatic bid tracker and scenarios

The 2025 FCS playoffs are approaching, with 11 automatic bids up for grabs.

Eleven teams automatically qualify for this year's playoffs via conference affiliation. An additional 13 teams earn at-large bids selected by the FCS Playoff Committee. The complete 24-team bracket will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 23. The FCS playoffs conclude with the national championship in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, Jan. 5, 2025.

We will fill in the winner of each conference's automatic bid below as they are decided:

STANDINGS: See the latest FCS standings from every conference 

Conference winners who abstain from the FCS playoffs are as follows:

• MEAC
  • Champion: South Carolina State
• SWAC
  • SWAC East: Jackson State
  • SWAC West: Prairie View A&M

How every team clinched an automatic bid

Stay tuned as we'll recap how every automatic bid was clinched as they happen.

ASUN-WAC (UAC)

Abilene Christian clinched the ASUN-WAC auto-bid in Week 13 with a win over Central Arkansas.

Big Sky

Montana State clinched the Big Sky auto bid in Week 13 by defeating Montana, 31-28.

CAA

Rhode Island clinched the CAA auto bid in Week 13 by defeating Hampton, 38-10.

Ivy League

Yale beat rival and previously undefeated Harvard, 45-28, in Week 13 to secure the bid.

Missouri Valley Football Conference

North Dakota State clinched the MVFC auto bid in Week 11 by beating North Dakota, 15-10.

NEC

Central Connecticut State clinched the automatic bid by beating Mercyhurst 35-28 in Week 13.

OVC-Big South

Tennessee Tech became the OVC-Big South champion by beating UT Martin 20-17 in Week 13.

Patriot

In Week 13, Lehigh beat rival Lafayette 42-32 to earn the Patriot League's AQ spot.

Pioneer

Drake clinched the automatic bid by topping Morehead State 17-10 in Week 13.

SoCon

Mercer clinched the SoCon auto bid in Week 11 by beating Western Carolina, 49-47

Southland

Stephen F. Austin clinched the Southland auto bid in Week 12 with a win over Lamar. The win clinched them a share of the conference title, and since Lamar is a common opponent between the Lumberjacks and Southeastern Louisiana, SFA gets the automatic qualifying bid.

SWAC East

Jackson State won the SWAC East with a Week 13 win over Alcorn State.

SWAC West

Prairie View A&M clinched the SWAC West title in Week 12 with a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.