It is that time of year again. It is coming down to the FCS playoffs time. Yes, Jim Mora, playoffs. So while the sports world looks at the FBS playoff rankings, here is what going on with the subdivision that did playoffs before it was cool.

As of right now, the Bison sit ranked No. 4 in the FCS rankings. Only behind undefeated Sam Houston State, and to the one loss teams of Jacksonville State and Eastern Washington.

A lot can still happen in the last two weeks, just in the Missouri Valley Conference alone. With each conference champion getting an automatic bid into the playoffs, it is important the Bison finish the season strong and get some help along the way.

In Week 11, all top three teams of the MVFC have their final home game of the regular season. With the Bison playing host to Indiana state in a game where there seems to be no threat to the Bison. South Dakota State hosts in-state rivals South Dakota where the Coyotes could possible pull of an upset. Finally, Youngstown State plays Southern Illinois, another team that doesn’t show any threat.

In Week 12, all teams close out the regular season on the road in some key match-ups to finish the final standings for the conference. NDSU plays USD, where the Coyotes could once again pull off a victory for they are a solid team that is in the middle of the conference.

SDSU is on the road to Northern Iowa, where the Panthers could also be playing for their own playoff berth depending on how they favor against Western Illinois in Week 11. YSU looks like to be in favor at Missouri State as both the Bison and Jackrabbits defeated MSU earlier in the season.

Both the Bison and Jackrabbits could win out and favor both teams, as they would share the top spot of the conference with a conference record of 7-1 if they both win out. There are no tiebreakers when it comes to the conference champion. It is a straight share looking at the record of conference play.

In order to move up the rankings for sure, they are going to have to win out and also get help again.

Sam Houston State will most likely play Central Arkansas in Week 12 for the Southland Conference Title. Jacksonville State faces a quality opponent UT Madison to close out the season. Eastern Washington, who the Bison did defeat in Week Two.

Remember that FCS Playoff Committee? They will likely wrap up a share of the Big Sky title, the other share going to North Dakota.

So if nothing changes, what will the Bison have to do in the playoffs? The Bison would receive a first round bye at the No. 4 spot. The top eight teams in the 24-team playoff get first round byes. Since the committee makes pairing in part with geographical situations in mind, here is a thought. They also claim to avoid pairing conference teams together in the first two rounds, but they failed to do so last year.

So, the first round game, where the winner takes a trip to Fargo could be the third place Missouri Valley team, against UND. This may not be the case, but could truly happen. After that, the fifth seeded James Madison could come to town.

What’s bad news for the Bison, the road to Frisco leaves Fargo at the moment. That means a trip to Sam Houston State. Sam Houston State has a margin of victory of 31.25 at home this season.

So the Bison need some hope to avoid the trip. There is still hope the road to the championship goes through Fargo.

And at the end of the day, anything can happen. Who knows what will happen in the next two weeks?