Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The NCAA is expanding the Football
Championship Subdivision playoffs from 20 to 24 teams beginning in 2013.
The non-scholarship Pioneer Football League will become the 11th conference to
earn an automatic qualifier for its champion. The other three new spots will
go to at-large bids, bringing that number to 13.
Under the new format, eight teams will be seeded, earn first-round byes and
host second-round games against first-round winnings. By seeding only one-
third of the field, the NCAA will be able to create more geographic matchups
in the earlier rounds.
There are 122 teams on the FCS level this season. The Ivy League and
Southwestern Athletic Conference don't send their champions to the playoffs.
The FCS playoffs previously expanded from 16 to 20 teams for the 2010 season.
The Sports Network