LAST FOUR IN: McNeese, Western Carolina, Samford, Kennesaw State

FIRST FOUR OUT: Southern Utah, Montana, Villanova, Illinois State

There really didn’t seem like there was a lot of in and out this week, but then you see the bottom branches of the bracket tree and you find them on the ground. Such is the case for Villanova and Illinois State. Villanova is a case of taking their third loss and the fact they’ve had more injuries than just about anyone this year. Illinois State went from safe to gone after a horrific 35 point loss to Southern Illinois. And their schedule is just now going to get tough.

Taking their spots are Kennesaw State, who won big against Liberty. Sitting at 5-1, they’re starting to make a case for an at-large if the Big South automatic doesn’t come their direction. The other bid take this week is Samford. They come back on a bye, but the overall body of work warrants the bid.

There are also many just on the outside, knocking pretty loudly right now. Southern Utah, Montana, Eastern Illinois, Northern Arizona, just to name a few. Of course, Villanova and Illinois State are in that crowd, despite just having dropped away.

With the Colonial and the Missouri Valley both losing a bid, each now sit at five a piece. The Big South becomes a two bid conference and the Southern pulls in a third. The Big Sky still sits at two, but now have three teams of the next six waiting to get in. It is Mid-October and the fun is really starting to pick up. We also give the Patriot League automatic to Lehigh, who at 2-5, is the most deserving with their 2-0 conference record. The Patriot champion has a legitimate chance to have a losing record and make the playoffs.

Big Sky (2): Eastern Washington*, Weber State

Big South (2): Monmouth*, Kennesaw State

Colonial (5): James Madison*, Richmond, Elon, Stony Brook, New Hampshire

Missouri Valley (5): North Dakota State*, South Dakota, Western Illinois, South Dakota State, Youngstown State

Northeast (1): Duquesne*

Ohio Valley (1): Jacksonville State*

Patriot (1): Lehigh*

Pioneer (1): San Diego*

Southern (3): Wofford*, Western Carolina, Samford

Southland (3): Central Arkansas*, Sam Houston State, McNeese

* League Champion and automatic bid



