There are eight games in the first round of the 2022 FCS Championship, all taking place on Saturday 26th November. With so many games in one day, there will be some overlap between FCS playoff action. Decisions must be made to prioritize which game gets the most attention. Here’s a guide on how best to watch each first round match.
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Use this guide as if you are not a fan of a specific FCS playoff team and just want to watch great FCS football. Of course, if you’re a fan of a particular team, you want this game to stay on your big screen. Speaking of the big screen, let’s talk about the devices you need.
- Main TV
- Think of the main TV as your biggest TV in the house. It’s the TV you would watch a premiere of your favorite show on or even the Super Bowl on. Main TV is for action not to be missed.
- computer laptop
- It’s the year 2022. Most people have a computer or laptop at home, so let’s say this is the second largest mobile screen in the house in this case. On your second largest screen, you want your second largest game.
- phone
- Fourth device (tablet, second TV, second laptop, old phone)
- Not everyone will have a 4th device, but if you do, it’s an advantage since there are four games running simultaneously in the first round. The 4th device is listed below, but you can customize the order of games on your 4th device by screen size as everyone’s 4th device may be different.
Now that the screens and devices have been explained, we can dive into the best ways to watch the first round.
12 o’clock
Main TV – Elon at Furman | ESPN+
For the first two hours of the first round of the FCS playoffs there is only one option: Elon at Furman on ESPN+. You don’t have to worry about changing channels as no other game starts until 2pm
Use this time to charge your other devices and set up your FCS screens during commercial breaks or halftime breaks.
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14 o’clock
Main TV – Elon at Furman | ESPN+
Unless you’re a fan of another team kicking off during the 2pm time slot, keep your TV tuned to Elon-Furman. At 2:00 p.m. at the latest, this game will go deep into the third quarter, but probably into the fourth quarter.
If this game isn’t a blowout, you should watch the Elon vs. Furman ending on the big screen.
Computer/Laptop – Fordham in New Hampshire | ESPN+
On your second screen, you can watch the nation’s best passer, Tim DeMorat, take the field as Fordham battles New Hampshire. Fordham’s offense has seemingly scored at will this season but will play against a battle-hardened New Hampshire team from the CAA. While New Hampshire isn’t putting up the fireworks that Fordham is, the Wildcats clinched the CAA title and this should be a competitive game worthy of second screen.
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Telephone – Saint Francis (PA) in Delaware | ESPN+
Saint Francis vs. Delaware has all the makings of a great game. On one side you have a talented Saint Francis team with Jerry Rice Award finalist Makai Jackson that has won nine straight games. On the other hand, you have a Delaware team that has lost three of their last four games but was a top-10 team at the start of the year.
Will Saint Francis manage 10 straight wins? Will Delaware Rediscover Its Top 10 Form? These questions are why this game should get your third screen.
Fourth device – Davidson in Richmond | ESPN+
On your fourth device, the final kickoff is at 2:00 p.m., Davidson in Richmond. Davidson enters as the only automatic bid to avoid winning his conference and Richmond enters to be one game away from winning the CAA title. This game gets the bottom spot because it doesn’t have the star power of a Tim DeMorat at Fordham or the historic FCS Delaware brand name.
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2:30-2:45 p.m
Once the game ends at 12:00 p.m., three games that started at 2:00 p.m. are still played. For the reasons listed above, during the 14:00 window I would probably move the computer-phone-fourth device to the main TV computer-phone slot.
If a game is a blowout after about 30 minutes I would move it to the third best screen, but if all games remain intriguing I would keep the same order.
4 p.m
Main TV – Next game kicked off at 2pm
4 p.m. means crunch time for the kickoff games at 2 p.m. Whichever game is closest at this point, I would put it on mainstream TV. If all three games are close, I would order the games like this:
- Fordham, New Hampshire
- The Tim DeMorat factor keeps this game on the big screen because Fordham’s offense could come up with a clutch score at any moment.
- Saint Francis/Delaware
- Saint Francis’ Makai Jackson is one of many Red Flash players who can turn a traditional game into a quick outcome. On the other hand, Delaware quarterback Nolan Henderson could run a clutch drive across the field.
- Davidson/Richmond
- If this game ends at 4:00 p.m., that means it’s an exciting competition. From a team or player perspective, however, it won’t have the same name value as the other two games coming into the clutch. But remember, that’s why you have your third screen.
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Computer/Laptop – The Next Next Game OR North Dakota at Weber State | ESPN+
A close game outweighs an opening kickoff, but if just one game comes to an end, go ahead and turn your second screen to North Dakota at Weber State, which kicks off at 4 p.m
Phone AND Fourth Device – The Third Next Game OR North Dakota at Weber State | ESPN+
Follow the same principles as the computer/laptop for your last two devices. Three close games means kickoff is at 4 p.m. on your fourth-best device, while two close games means you can watch the Fighting Hawks take on the Wildcats on your third-best device.
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17 o’clock
Main TV – North Dakota in Weber State | ESPN+
All 2pm matches should be over by 5pm, but if a match is still going on in a close final it should of course take priority. Assuming the games finish at 2:00 p.m., it’s time for North Dakota-Weber State to be on mainstream television.
Even when another game is about to start, a clash between MVFC and Big Sky is almost always a must for entertainment.
Computer/Laptop – Gardner-Webb in eastern Kentucky | ESPN+
Gardner-Webb will take on Eastern Kentucky in a 5 p.m. opener. This game should start on your second screen.
If North Dakota-Weber State spirals out of control by a big margin, you can tune in to the Runnin’ Bulldogs and Colonels on your main TV. With only two FCS playoff games to play, it’s an easy channel change.
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19 o’clock
Main Television – Gardner-Webb in East Kentucky | ESPN+
In case North Dakota-Weber State is still playing and it’s close, that game will be shown on the big screen. However, three hours should be enough to complete this game, which means the Gardner-Webb and Eastern Kentucky game will be showing on main TV before 7 p.m
Save yourself the extra work and leave your main TV alone.
Computer/Laptop – Idaho in Southeast Louisiana | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
It’s easier to get Idaho in Southeastern Louisiana on your second screen than changing channels on two screens, especially since the Vandals and Lions doesn’t start until 7 p.m
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7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m
Main TV – Idaho in Southeast Louisiana | ESPN+
During this window of time, the Gardner-Webb game in eastern Kentucky is likely to end. That means there is still an FCS game playing so you can watch Idaho-Southeastern Louisiana on your main TV.
10:15 p.m
Main TV – Southeast Missouri State in Montana | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN2
Only one game from the FCS first round list should be visible until 10:15 a.m. The state of Southeast Missouri is battling Montana on ESPN2, which means you don’t need that late-night ESPN+ subscription. Unless Idaho vs. Southeastern Louisiana is a close or extended game, this game should be on your big screen starting with the opening game.